Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Planning Your Garden
Planning Your Garden
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the
Garden Series
of
LEONARD BARRON
Lawn-Making
House Plants
This suggestion for a small garden, looking east, embodies the author's ideas of having several points of interest. The placing of the walk to the north side and its change of direction at the dial takes full advantage of the conditions.
the
Garden Series
COPYRIGHT,
1911, 1923,
BY
DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & COMPANY ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, INCLUDING THAT OF TRANSLATION INTO FOREIGN LANGUAGES, INCLUDING THE SCANDINAVIAN
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES AT LIFE PRESS, GARDEN CITY, N. T
First Edition
THE COUNTRY
PUBLISHER'S PREFACE
There are several
is
One
tofore
plantvital,
cultivating,
etc.
Another
is
the
day of countryward,
outdoorward tendencies.
the cash valuation of the
scape architect
when
the gardener
is
who
make
In either case he
his
self
own garden
will
do well to
VI
PUBLISHER
PREFACE
The ultimate ideas of art, taste, judgment, and harmony are not local but universal and this volume carries to the reader both the author's
originality of treatment
CONTENTS
I.
Introductory
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI. VII.
VIII.
The Factors in Detail The Garden Picture The Rectilinear Principle .... The Elements of the Garden Plan Making Beds and Borders .... Construction of Walks and Drives
.
9 28
45 51
IX.
X. XI. XII.
XIII.
70 87 108
127
141
How
XIV.
The Rock Garden The Rose Garden Water in the Garden The Vegetable Garden
Glass Fences and Hedges Tile and Other Artificial Edgings Garden Plans Planting Further Considerations in Garden
.
152
173
183
197
XV.
XVI. XVII. XVIII.
207 212
229
236
263
XIX.
XX.
XXI.
Making
Evolution of an Ideal Lot
....
279 291
ILLUSTRATIONS
Perspective View of Garden
FIGURE
1.
....
Frontispiece
PAGE
2.
3. 4.
5.
6.
7.
8. 9.
16.
17.
Diagrams Illustrating Aspect Houses on Plots of Irregular Shape Garden Styles Compared Expansion of Path Expansion of Path Expansion of Path Path Junction Curves in Paths The Grouping of Beds Correct Form for Group of Beds ... Trenching Drainage for Beds and Borders Shapes of Beds Shapes of Beds Relation Between Beds in a Group Entrance to Drive
. .
21
25
48 54
59
60
61
62
65
68
73
....
76 80
81
...
83
The Carriage-turn
Path Foundation Design for Brick Path Section of Brick Path Design for Composite Path Design FOR Stone Path Design for Stone Path Level and Straight-edge Tennis Court
ix
89 90
95
18.
19.
20.
98 100
102
21.
22. 23.
24.
25.
106
106
116
117
X
PICnXX
ILLUSTRATIONS
PAGE
26. 27.
28.
29.
Croquet Court Acute Angles IN Grass Beds in Relation to Grass Shapes Typical Garden Plan
OF Off-sets Arrangement OF Trees Terracing Sectional View Terracing Sectional View Terracing Sectional View Steps in Paths
118
121
. .
123
131 131
30.
31.
The Method
136 142
142
143
144
. . .
145
146
149 150 160
161
38.
39.
40.
....
48. 49.
50. 51. 52.
Rocks in Relation to Soil Arrangement of Rock Masses Arrangements of Rock Masses Arrangements of Peat in the Rock Garden Rose Beds in Grass Rose Beds in Gravel A Long Rose Garden Planting Roses
162
163
.... ....
165
166
176
176
178
180
185
187 189
53.
54.
190
195
.
5556.
198
204
ILLUSTRATIONS
riGimE
XI
PAGE
57.
58. 59.
60.
61. 62.
220
....
221
Hedge
225
63.
64. 65. 66. d^. 68.
226
227 230 232
233
....
.
234
239-262
.
69
lOI
102.
.
Garden Plans
Arrangement of Herbaceous Border
>
270
103.)
104. 105.
295-297
Introductory
to
attention
with the
its
sur-
particular site presents a problem in and the art of the garden maker must be exercised first in studying the factors, and then in permitting them to guide him to a good result. What these factors are will appear
itself,
Each
when
come
to details.
It
is
sufficient at
the
position, aspect,
and envimeasure
ronment.
in a large
4
is
GARDEN PLANNING
controlled
by
principles
based upon
art,
when they
are subordinated to
As
in other
first
claims
consideration, so in garden
making
make
who
must always
receive attention.
for that
the be-all and end-all of gardening, would be to ignore the beauty of the
It
is
garden picture.
to give
due weight to the picturesque, without in the slightest measure discounting the value of the garden from a horticultural standpoint.
On
mistake
made
beds and borders, abundant blossom, and neatly kept grass and walks are the sole desiderata
of gardening.
If
to
grows
sion of
cabbages
will
rows.
Mere
is
profu-
bloom
garden.
The gardening
too apt
INTRODUCTORY
to permit his pride in the flowers to blind
to the value of a garden picture.
him
He
sees the
It
were better
who
than as elements
way
of a painter of pictures.
small,
is
artistic principles,
is
thing to recognize
It should
that
it
must be homoEvery-
geneous.
before
it
by balance, unity of effect, and a studied harmony of line and mass. If common-sense principles, based upon full knowledge and recognition of the governing
factors of the problem, be allowed to control
make
for
features,
no forcing of
The
size of the
garden
GARDEN PLANNING
It
is
just as
and just
in
garden
as a small one.
The same
It
is
general principles
largely a question
apply
both cases.
of scale.
Gardens
are
rarely successful,
How
often do
vantage point of some suburban railroad journey, garden after garden in monotonous succession,
all
planned to a
common
type.
Some may be
same in all, probably conceived and made by the speculative builder's foreman, whose knowledge and skill can hardly be expected to rank high in this department
outlines are the
of his work.
When
own
more
arise
views of what
it
is
by mistakes which
Possibly the
commonest error is to ignore aspect, planning for symmetry, which is hardly ever consistent
INTRODUCTORY
plot of limited
size.
Another mistake
and breadth of effect. do not intend to enumerate here all the shortcomings of the modern suburban garden. I hope to make them sufficiently apparent when I enter into a more detailed statement of the principles which I believe should govern the
plicity
I
Skilful
planning,
And
consideration to aspect.
in
The craze for symmetry prevails too strongly modern garden planning. Grass and gravel
futility
Sunshine, the
life
must have
full access to
GARDEN PLANNING
and this is only them where the
Therefore
it is
borders,
placing
reach
them.
a necessary preliminary
which parts of
it
enjoy
full
The north
shadows
may
on
neighbouring
These
shadows
redundant
trees)
permit of
CHAPTER
The Factors The
ing a
II
in
is
Detail
question of site
so
home
for
many
him to
be over-fastidious
if
about
site.
If
find
fashion;
not, the
may
shape.
Whatever may have been done before he takes possession should not deter him from starting
de
novo.,
commences to plant
it.
lO
GARDEN PLANNING
In considering the desirability of a garden
site
is
of sunshine.
is
With
it
but
intelligent planning
meet
this
case.
garden
surrounded
by a high
town and suburban gardens where houses and gardens adjoin. In the open country different considerations may prein connection with
sent themselves.
Most
But other disabilities may exist, amongst which the absence of shelter may be the most important one. The tenant, therefore, should
see
how
the site
lies,
both
in relation to the
prevailing winds
On
winds
THE FACTORS
IN DETAIL
II
young
progress of plant
generally.
therefore,
The
is
country
plot,
one
which
sheltered
is
open
to
partly
by higher
ground or trees to the west and south-west, and wholly sheltered to the north and north-
Such sites are not easy to find, and in most cases the tenant has to be content with something short of what he would wish; but, as I shall show, he may do much by artificial means to make good the shortcomings of the site. Another point more likely to crop up in
east.
the country
the
its
is
soil,
which
of the flowers.
The warmth
is
of a site, other
influenced
by the nature by
Schiibler,
The
heat-absorbing capacities
lOO
95-6 76.9
12
GARDEN PLANNING
Heavy
Chalk
clay
71.1
Brick-earth
Humus
The
coldness of a
damp
site is
due to the
is
When the
able to
purchase rather than merely to rent the property the question of the garden site
receive
may
well
tion of
what
is
or
is
not a valuable
seclusion,
site.
One
person
desire
prefer his
scribed
by natural
limits
the
view;
may
scape beyond.
Other considerations
in all cases the
may have
immediate surroundings is to be avoided. Ugly buildings, waste land scattered with rubbish, small property inhabited by undesirable
people,
cemetery, factory,
or
gas
unless
it
objects
by
artificial
Thus
far I
nal to the
site.
The next
is
intrin-
purpose as a garden.
centre of a
may
take
many
years to
if
redeem.
plot
It
is
the
some well-grown trees, which may be utilized for shelter, and which will at once confer a certain distinction on the site. The presence of old hedgerows and bushes
includes
it is
often possible
them
in the
garden scheme.
The contour
point.
of the
ground
if
is
an important
dis-
Sites, particularly
of limited extent,
the
the
On
a gain,
oflFer-
and
giving
character to
if
the
garden picture.
uniform slope,
tion,
is
slight
and
in a southerly direcit
ensures
14
GARDEN PLANNING
when
a tennis lawn
is
qua non it is desirable that some portion of the ground should be level, or have only a moderate slope; otherwise much expense will be entailed in excavating and banking up, and the artificial contours thus created become unduly obtrusive. Happy the
dener
will
gar-
who
is
which rarely harmonizes with the other elements of the garden plan, and more often than
not
usurps
space
that
otherwise
could
be
utilized
be suggested by the lay of the ground and by its aspect; and, having done so, to endeavour to form a mental picture of the main elements of the garden, giving due weight to the natural features of the ground and its
surroundings as factors in the arrangement.
By
far
doing so
it is
it
is
how
likely to
meet one's
be a simple one.
involve
may
more
as
alternative
THE FACTORS
IN DETAIL
and
be
No
decision should
of
made
until
the possibilities
the
site
The
linked
is
so closely
of the garden
that
Reference
relative
soils.
has
already
been
made
of
to
the
heat-absorbing
qualities
various
purposes
it is
or
top
soil,
but of
If
the plot
trenches
is
should
be
may
The
vary
even
within
comparatively
restricted limits of a
garden
site.
surface soil
is
a superficial examination.
l6
GARDEN PLANNING
good criterion of the relative warmth of
is
A
soils
fallen.
available in winter when snow has That ground from which the snow
is
soonest disappears
may
stiff
clay subsoil to
to be avoided, as
it is
not amenable
gravel,
soils,
effective
drainage.
Sand,
and
light
would
find a soil
of this
description
one of
particular purpose.
The
dryness of a
site
soil, and the distance from the surface of the subsoil Water. Clay
is
when
is
found near
be either
the surface,
the
surface
soil
will
THE FACTORS
gentle slope,
as such a soil
all
Is
IN DETAIL
Is
things considered,
the best,
If
drained naturally.
topped
mixture of stones,
gardener.
it is
gravel overlaid
with
the
would be unsuitable
to spend
for
general
gardening
money
in
When
and the rock impervious to water, they suffer from the same disshallow,
abilities as stiff clay land.
The
soil,
is
no
number.
On
iS
will
GARDEN PLANNING
be found In greater quantity at the lower
if
levels, particularly"
the land
has
been
in
cultivation.
Much may
be
soils
a naturally undesirable
treated
Light
soils
may
with
clay
or
porous
nature
materials.
By
these
additions
the
may
be
modified and
tillage; but no meet the case if the subsoil is unsuitable. These operations necessarily imply outlay, which in a large garden may be a heavy one. It is therefore
advisable,
when
on which the
soil is
neither
light.
Another point in the selection of a site is to made ground the composition of which may be anything from gas lime to meat tins. A site of this kind would afford many unavoid
pleasant surprises to the gardener, and might
Made
THE FACTORS
and
it is
IN DETAIL
IQ
made
when newly
is
character
not supertrench
apparent.
itself as
trial
suggests
a wise precaution.
site,
may
be effectual
converting
into a
thoroughly.
recently been in cultivation,
is
in
it
most
has a
soil,
and constant
it
to the
On
vantages.
There
may
be
some
soil
it
additional
into working
may
be possible
and
Aspect
In gardens of small
is
size
the ques-
tion of aspect
20
GARDEN PLANNING
much by
of space
also
is
amount
Aspect
which receives
full sunlight.
show when
come
/ shall have
to
and
to
I shall
to is
zvhich the
^^
house fronf^
The sun
to west
in
from east
sweep to the south. Thus the north side of houses, trees, and other fixed
by
the east
and west
sides receive
sun only
in
These are cardinal facts to be borne in mind by all who undertake to plan a garden of restricted size.
I
can best
which should serve to make the matter clear. In these three figures I have shown the
shadow
and garden
walls,
THE FACTORS
distinguishing
full
IN DETAIL
partial
21
shadow from
shadow
by the depth
of shading.
Fig.
I.
Diagrams
illustrating aspect
will
be discounted
a fancy for
in the space
immediately
the gardener
in
But
if
has
good flower
effects
the
select
southern aspect.
An
22
will give a
GARDEN PLANNING
shady
strip
on the north
best that
side of the
house, which
may
circumstances.
side should
It
the shady
be that
on which the
kitchen
and
its offices
upon
which the living rooms look out. These shadow diagrams represent a mean of
The
altitude
time of day, and thus the shadow of a wall running east and west will be narrowest at noon in midsummer and widest in the morning
and afternoon
the
in
midwinter.
in like
house
will
vary
same reason. In open country sites, where considerations of privacy do not carry so much weight, walls and fences need not be so high, and their shadows, therefore, would be practically negligible. At the same time, the shadow question must not be overlooked, as trees and other fixed objects may exist on the site or in its
immediate vicinity. The House in Relation
to
the Site
When
THE FACTORS
the position for his
IN DETAIL
23
house,
he rarely gives
will
He assumes
in
that
it
may
is
be modbetter to
It
take
both
factors
consideration
when
upon
little
its site,
closely correlated.
In these days of
narrow
if
frontages there
is
latitude in a direction
economy
of garden space
is
to be considered,
the purchaser
must give
careful thought to
may
not
This question
will
be governed largely
tastes of
by
aspect, but to
the gardener.
fore-court
is
only to
mobiles
it
is
With
a north-
any ambitious gardening display in the forecourt, and there is no need to allot more space to it than may be required to secure the two
objects just mentioned.
24
GARDEN PLANNING
On
for
it
charm
in
the
width of the
portions
plot,
equal
not
better to place
it
so
When
way
it may be desirable to place the house on the higher ground at the back of the plot, thus bringing the principal garden space to
the front.
All these points call for careful consideration
is made, as upon that decidepend the subsequent success or
before a decision
sion
will
Houses
garden
set
askew
boundaries
on
i.
e.,
obliquely to the
plots
small
rarely
little
when
ERTY
USURY
ColUnt C. StaU
THE FACTORS
has to be undertaken.
IN DETAIL
25
I am strongly opposed any conditions which necessitate the use of triangular areas as elements in the garden
to
Fig. 2.
Houses
formality,
When
its
the plot
sides
parallel with
line;
most nearly makes a right angle with the road but in some cases it may be best to set the house front parallel with the roadway,
ignoring the side boundaries.
26
GARDEN PLANNING
In plots of more Irregular shape the question
must be
It will be seen how intimately the position of the house in relation to the shape and size of the plot is bound up with the garden plan.
From
the foregoing
It
is
The
and has to make the best of those spaces which are left
then called
wiser course
is
to bring architect
in the first In-
may
each work out his plan in accordance with such decisions as they upon.
may
mutually agree
Such a course Is eminently to the advantage of the owner of the site, who thereby
design for house and thorough understanding between the two craftsmen lightens the task of both,
secures
consistent
garden.
result.
further point
Is
This
is
usually as-
sumed
outlay
that
it
is
left
out of consideration
27
the
The
result
is
that
house
sum
on the garden.
he
calls
Then
help
It Is
of
garden,
bill
he
secured
the
services
of
whereas.
If
Is
owner may obtain competitive prices from two or more nurserymen, and make a contract for the work on the best
available, the house
terms.
of
good design
outlay,
fair
Is
trifling
total
and
is
it
invariably
justifies itself.
allotment of
money
to
CHAPTER
III
its
environment. In the
gardener.
of
in
first
it
must be
he
is
his
own
designer, he will,
course,
always
if
mind;
The
be well
The
contours,
slope,
and
sugits
first factors
to be
first
treatment.
The shape
and
of
boundaries
will
be
important,
equally
The aim
all
29
other.
Here
will
The
meaning
if
third dimension.
its
garden at
breadth.
It
is
in the vertical
artistic
and
is
result
realizable.
The
plan
skeleton
to
affair,
be devoted to borders,
gravel.
The
designing of a garden
is
a process akin
may
be defined as a general
the
principal
too
marked
symmetry
in
To ensure
in
mind
30
the
plants
GARDEN PLANNING
flowers,
trees,
and
shrubs
with which
It
his
be
filled in.
it
may
within
by
summer
minor
houses,
pergolas,
and
other
of
precludes
practical
picturesque
it is
efi"ect,
reason that
Many
symmetry.
against
observing
it
these
injunctions
must not be understood that they apply with the same force to details.
the
contrary,
symmetry
On
the
treatment of certain
be governed with
may
advantage
of symmetry. For instance, in introducing a group of beds for effect on the lawn, a one-sided arrange-
by
considerations
to
good practice,
regular shape.
understood,
it
may
It
may
ably
in
arise
from
several causes.
Unquestionis
the
symmetry
Another
cause
may
when
building
vertical plane.
be recognized to be corrected.
sentinel-wise, at equal distances
feature,
from a central
They will produce a formal effect. would be better arranged so that no two subtend the same angle in the line of sight (see Fig. 31). The repetition of some conspicuous feature at regular intervals also makes for
formality, an error not infrequently
made
in
Complexity
in detail
may
suggest formality,
by proclaiming too
is
insistently
Still
the
artificial
another cause
various details.
32
lead
GARDEN PLANNING
inevitably to a formal result.
Such
is
On
combination
is
the
most
efficient
means
it
of securing
an informal
result,
because
his
monize
boundaries.
On may
only
serve
to
render
too
conspicuous
I shall
more
detail
variety
opposed
must here emphasize the value of variety in outline and variety in shape as
Such variety must be carefully thought out, and made to give character to the garden as a whole. This does not imply over-elaboration, about which I have already warned the reader, nor is it opposed to simplicity of treatment. It is just the avoidance of undue repetition of lines and shapes. Another factor in the attainment of the
33
what
may term
"reticence."
sive a
This
may
may
be employed.
Much may
filled
the
ones
all
presents
is
rather
monotonous
if
vista.
charm
greatly enhanced
the process
allowed to
push forward, thereby screening what lies beyond; and incidentally this arrangement
has value in affording shelter to the smaller
their
Nothing
is
more
delightful
than to pass
new and
may
be divided up into
34
GARDEN PLANNING
come
into full
It
is
entered.
between
well-filled
borders,
to
or,
by another
in
Each
itself
section
of the
garden
its
is
complete
yet wedded
to
neighbour, each
united
in
consistent
and harmonious
whole.
The
It
is
this point.
He
He must
whilst
points,
pleasant peeps from certain convey a sense of space. In other words, the treatment must include that artistic quality known as "breadth." This is to be
giving
and
in part
by
One
"a natural
a natural
garden."
may
here
state
that
35
deceive the
is
unattain-
Nor is it desirable that we should strive to make such a garden. Yet Nature cannot be left out of the question. The gardener provides the home and the occupant and there his work ends. He must rely upon
able.
fill
in the outlines,
tell her.
which
should
is
ever
be
highest art
effects
fore,
The
which we create
must be
by which they
are
produced.
By
as
we
inasmuch
of
work
as
it
garden designer
and
this
is
should be.
I
it
is
must now
repose.
which
viz.,
Repose
is
also
involves a
36
GARDEN PLANNING
it
is
only necessary
up
into
awkward
shapes.
As
far as possible
should exist in a single stretch, or at least should not consist of a number of scattered
pieces.
the
Apart from questions of tennis and croquet, grass is a valuable background to the
flowers; a place
where the feet may escape the "crunch " of gravel, and one may find perhaps a corner bathed in shadow, from which to look out upon one aspect of the garden picture,
or to
its
proper
and be duly proportioned to the rest. And so with the beds and borders. It is little short of vandalism to fret the lawn into a
lace-work of fantastically fashioned beds, in
37
gardener with inspiration. Nature does not grow her flower groups within the rigid limits of five-pointed stars, crescents, and crosses. Beds in grass are sometimes admirable features in the general scheme, if modelled on simple shapes. The more elaborate the form of the bed the more time and labour will be expended in preserving its geometry, and the less enjoyment will be derived from the flowers. The maker of stars and crescents, moreover, should realize that an acute angle is an awkward one to which to adapt his flowers, and
that to preserve the outlines of such beds
is
it
necessary to
fill
plants,
which, by
constant
prevented
from developing their natural charm of form and character. The result is that the bed is
exalted above the flower, and the whole device
becomes a mere formal patch of colour, exciting no more worthy emotion than an admiration for the gardener's patience and skill with
the turf trimmer.
circle,
square,
if
or
and
to be not
too particular
grass,
so
long
38
GARDEN PLANNING
The
trimming
I
tool.
it
and
only another
way
of saying that
its
site
and
There may be some conspicuous natural feature on the site which would furnish a knoll, a drop in a theme for the designer level, or the presence of a natural pond or
Whatever it be, it may be utilized on which to build up the other details. The house also may provide the theme, and then the garden must be designed to harmonize with its outlines and character. A house permitted to stand up bleak and naked from an expanse of gravel or turf will always wear an aspect of aloofness from the
stream.
as a basis
garden.
fore,
The
first
should be to
rises
in the angles
where the
house
use of shrubs, or
may
dictate.
39
site
been thoroughly
surveyed,
should
not
be
allowed to influence
the designer.
Your
neighbour's
taste
copied on another
may be
a dismal failure.
The
by
may
in
be marred as
sins
much by
sins of
commission as
of omission.
by the introduction of garish and incongruous accessories. The smaller the plot, the stronger
apparently the temptation
eyesores.
to
import these
too
watchful
features.
the
use
of
inharmonious
to suit the garden, and their and mode of construction should be simple and unostentatious. Paint should be sparingly used, if at all, and its colour should be chosen so as not to compete with the flowers. I have seen a wide expanse of trellis painted canary yellow, which for crudity and ill-taste would be hard to match, yet the perpetrator
be designed
details
40
GARDEN PLANNING
it,
unconscious
art.
of
having
outraged
the
canons of
The
good
so-called
taste.
If
"rustic"
the
work
is
rarely
is
in
summer house
to be
decorated,
softening
.^
outline
and loading
it
with bloom
They
never quite
a terrace
satisfactory unless
wall,
associated with
structure.
or
some
place
similar
In most
stout
cases their
could
be
taken by
hoplessly depraved
he
any
a place for
them apart
Given discretion in excluding the inartistic and incongruous, there may be still room for
mistakes
in
the
use
of
garden
accessories.
They may be
4I
correct.
Good
proportion
is
though a sense of
knowledge and good
sense.
maker decide
of both.
as far as possible
rules
by the help
The golden
Simplicity.
are:
Sound construction.
Scale.
.
a focus,
before
it
can
I
properly
appreciate
the
general
effect,
attach
much value
to the
summer house
It
as
makes
and
to
is
therefore "led
its
up
to^' in
such a
this
way
as
enhance
usefulness
is
for
purpose.
admirably adapted
garden picture.
42
GARDEN PLANNING
gardens, before
it
Is
new
possible to utilize
well-constructed
summer
house,
weather-
proof,
and placed so that its open side is in shade, is a most desirable addition to anygarden, however small, both as a picturesque feature in the design and as a useful retreat
in
Of other garden
accessories
shall
have
Though
am
make
I
reference
and here
may
it
point
to the
out that
flower
it is
often feasible to so
it
wed
ground that
materially
helps
the
garden picture.
owner
if
is
screened
off. it
On
the
left
in full view,
contrasts
tion
when making
I
means which
harmony.
shall describe in
In this
way
may
43
be
made
and even the tenants of the latter may in some measure to contribute to the
if
fruit
is
grown.
There are certain practical considerations in town and suburban gardens which demand that the vegetables should be grown in that
part of the plot most remote from the house.
If fruit trees
the blossom in
season
is is
valuable at a time
when
but
little
advanced
toward
summer
display.
There is only one other point to emphasize, and that has reference to garden management rather than to garden making. Yet it is worth noting. I refer to what some gardeners
call
"tidiness."
The
striving
after
neat,
and well-kept garden is apt to lead the gardener into a ruthless trimming and pinching of plants. It is one of the things which can
trim,
The
It
one
in
its
scope to de-
velop
wants
elbow-room,
and has no respect for artificial boundaries. It Is a sin to curb and mutilate the plant because,
forsooth,
it
pushes out
its
44
path.
GARDEN PLANNING
Rather
let
it
enjoy
its
liberty.
The
of
your care by exceeding its neighbour in vigour growth deserves encouragement. Let it
sprawl
in
reason.
It
will
soften
the
edge
line.
certain
this
plants
so that they
manner. And, lastly, beware of the too liberal pruning of trees and shrubs. Nature is always right.
She gives a character to each one of her creations,
which
is its
birthright.
To
trim
all
trees
wooden models
in
is
and
CHAPTER
IV
NOW
the
Into
ing.
of
garden design-
usually a rectangle.
lines,
Its four
and
its
area
that
these
boundaries
within them.
The house
placed
rightly
so.
is
square at
the
its
angles, squarely
within
garden
boundaries,
of
and
designing
encompassed by
demand
special consideration.
We
cannot Ignore the fact that the skeleton on which we have to build our garden plan is a thing of straight lines and right angles.
The problem,
is
46
GARDEN PLANNING
The treatment
that
it is
advocate
is
use of straight lines, and experience has shown the only successful method of solving
I
the problem.
principle."
have termed
it
the "rectilinear
objection
disappears.
this
would
which would at once establish a new factor in the problem. The curves might be laid down with the utmost skill with a view to
obtaining a unity inter
se,
On
garden
plots
of
larger
size,
even
if
bounded by straight lines, the case is different. Usually means may be adopted in such cases
to sufficiently
mask
owing to the
would
never be obtrusive.
47
no novelty for the rectilinear system. In some form or other it has been in use by garden planners since the days of the ancient
Egyptians, but not always applied in a
to secure the best possible results.
way Modern
My
it.
The question
must be tackled
another way.
The
make
to
for
picturesque
effect.
it
But when
allied
an
obvious symmetry
Therefore
I exclude from the rectilinear system any arrangement which gives equal-sidedness
to the garden.
These
points
will
be
better
appreciated
by reference to Fig. 3. At A is shown the type of garden only too common. I may call it the rectangular symmetrical
style.
It
in
has
crystallized
into
permanent feature
Its faults
48
are
GARDEN PLANNING
many and
obvious.
It
is
not correlated
Such a
garden would
Its
symmetry
of
pronounced to be capable
in the planting.
Its
being
is
masked
circuit
path
ABC
Fig. 3.
Garden
it
styles
compared
It has
no
distinction,
and
49
in
who sought
fullest sense.
to
make
it
picturesque
the
is
in
its
because
its
lines are
out of harmony
with
its
is
boundaries.
a simple application of the rectilinear
C
of
principle, based
upon
the
a careful consideration
aspect.
In
last
example
parallel
it
will
full
be
the
sun,
that
the
main
fences,
lines
are
with
boundary
natural
to take
leads
where the attraction of the flowers and that it begins and ends somegrass
is
where.
The
and includes no shapes which would be difficult to attack with a mower. The keynote is simplicity, which implies dignity and harmony. Such a garden could be planted with the best
results
effect.
in
securing
really
artistic
general
It
may
capable of con-
modification to
suit circumstances.
50
It
is
GARDEN PLANNING
adapted
in this case to a north-east aspect.
For other aspects the positions of the borders would be altered, and other details would need
modification.
already
Apart from the more important advantages mentioned it is clear that it has
others of minor
moment, yet
view.
desirable from
The edging
of
place.
and are more easily kept The trimming of grass edges can
a
always be controlled by
stretched
cord.
straight path
points.
is
any two
in
I shall
show
really
more
be
detail
how
the
rectilinear
system
may
of a
picturesque garden.
CHAPTER V
The Elements
There
plan
of the
Garden Plan
the
(in
are three
main
beds
which term
first
receive
consideration.
They may
well
occupy more space than is usually allowed them. The narrow strips of border so often seen skirting the fences of suburban gardens
are practically useless for flower culture.
A
the
width of
be in
six
feet
is
not too
it
much
if
for
principal border,
full
and
should,
possible,
sun.
If the
main path
defines its
it
may
wide.
This
dis-
sidedness.
Two
such
and
52
GARDEN PLANNING
opportunity for
and
and short transverse extensions of it might be carried into the grass area to break its inner line and to extend the flower space laterally. Such offshoots from a long border
plot,
become
partial
screens,
I
helping
to
secure
On
the con-
ducing a
boundary
These points
special examples.
emphasize at
in
this
also
make
it
must
not too
much
53
The path
is
and
and borders.
Just
careful
thought to the
how
is
the
further
elaboration
of
the
scheme
have been determined will depend upon circumstances and the fancy of
principal borders
If
the garden
is
of con-
may
this
be advisable to divert
full
it
extent
How
may
be done without
and with
mention
for
it
legitimate
devices the
quality
in
plan.
Is
The
introduction
must be
his
most
trust-
worthy guide.
An
expedient
is
to
some
point of
in
its
its
length,
and to
is
install a
square bed
centre.
This
is
very convenient
device
when
it
54
deviation
in
GARDEN PLANNING
the
its
direction, as
the path
may
it
at one corner,
and leave
in
by the diagonally
4.)
Beds
its
when
of
set
near
boundary, should
a
be
allowed
eighteen
verge
at least
inches, to prevent
in
difficulties
mowing. The use of circles and parts of circles, as well as of figures in which the angles are equal and not less than
a right
for
Fig. 4.
angle
example
the
Expansion
to
rectilinear
system of
of path
treatment.
details, in
Though
reason
no
a
why
as
make
may grow
is
such
well
The
as
foot of a southern
boundary fence
it is
warm
shady.
Ferns,
lily-of-the-valley,
55
thrive In such a
When
within
boundaries,
or
when
the
garden
which tapers
in
the direction of
its
perusal of
some of the plans in Chapter XVIII will show. I have said that the paths exist for utility. That is so in a large measure, but they have a
further value,
in
other
is
Moreover, a path
an objective invitation to walk through the garden and enjoy its beauties. A garden
On
is
so wasteful of
of paths
small
compartments
of the picture.
and
destroying
the
breadth
the
in every path,
56
GARDEN PLANNING
It
may
be taken
commence
and preferably
should
have a natural termination, or final destination. The best terminal to a garden path in my
opinion
feature
is
is
the
summer
house, and
non-existent, an arbour, or
erection,
expansion, in
would
it
be better to end
it
should be
made
at
right
angles.
Diagonal
look
paths are
not permissible.
of a path
They never
in
The value
to
its
is
mainly
proportion
utility.
dew the
which
from
traffic,
it
to bareness.
This sums
57
That
it
has also a
have
already conceded.
in
have seen
it
laid
down
ihe garden the more the need for the "winding path," which,
cannot
on every
side.
in a small
irreg-
treatment of which
tax the
skill
gravel surface
is
so
The width
of the path
should be the
I
minimum compatible
less
with
its
purpose.
do not favour a
path
width under
be
any circumstances.
In
larger
gardens
is
greater
width
all
may
else
is
permitted, as there
a certain distinction
and
in
when
58
proportion.
feet
GARDEN PLANNING
In a half-acre plot a width of five
might be desirable.
The practical details of path making will be treated in a separate chapter, but I may
here refer to the path material, more particularly as regards its
Red
are
gravel,
coarse
sand,
and
tiles
warm
foliage.
Red
thoroughly,
a
loose
with
the
surface,
feeling
from
plies
unpleasant
Imthe
that
much
loose
material
carried
adhere
to
to
the
boots
and
be
on
the mower.
Though
equal
made
of
width
throughout,
it
is
sometimes
59
when they
if
are of
and particularly
straight,
Fig. s.
Expansion
of path
6o
GARDEN PLANNING
suitable point an expansion in width to
line.
some
break the
dicated
in-
the
illustration
expansions
may
be
utilized
These to accommodate
(Fig.
5).
garden
seats,
sundials,
Fig. 6.
Expansion
of path
6l
from the principal one; also at the terminal of a path, as already mentioned.
In winding paths they would take a form
more
as the
in
Although the
should be
angles,
adapted
offshoots
to small gardens,
made
paths, in which all by-paths must leave the main path at a more or less acute angle, the curves of both being laid down to form a
Thedictumof
a distinguished
landscape gar-
dener on question
this
may
RepFig.
be taken as an
axiom.
7. Path
junction
ton, as quoted
says: "When two walks diverge from each other they should not appear as if they were intended to join again, but rather
by Mawson,
as
if
The
62
in
GARDEN PLANNING
small plots,
Is
and
for
may
therefore
offer
some
set
guidance
out
in good,
laying
them
out.
Curves should be
bold sweeps.
Grace of
is
line
is
by an
intuitive sense of
what
pleasing,
so
that the
best
achievements
knowledge, and
artistic instinct.
hint
may
is-
illustration (Fig. 8)
Mr. Mawson
inhisadmirable
Fig. 8.
Curves
paths
ing,"
says
of
garden
in
walks:
"They
should
be
arranged
such a
way
may
be exhibited, not
by
a series of wriggles,
but in a simple straightforward manner." As a rule, these curves are best not modelled
on a geometrical basis, i. e., one in which parts It is of circles do duty as their components.
63
character of which
in
we
rely
on freehand rather
down
left.
He
bound or
enclose.
Thus
in the case
boundary the amount and shape of the space between it and the boundary fence must be considered. For instance, it would be bad practice to leave a strip too wide for a border but too narrow to
carry a border with grass in front of
I
it.
now
it
garden
going
is
plan
will
the
grass.
From
the
foreit
be seen
how
it
is
closely correlated
may
this
arise to
rule.
make
it
In such event
64
GARDEN PLANNING
purpose.
To
two equal
to a good
areas of grass
The
artist well
knows how
fatal it
is
pictorial
effect
and landscape.
are parallel.
In gardens of the size I am now considering the idea of a " lawn " for games is rarely realizable for
want
of space,
plot,
more closely and general picture. It affords welcome relief to the eye, and by contrast enhances the value of the colour effect obtainable with the flowers. Moreover, its surface presents a cool, soft, and welcome tread, and a place to "laze" upon and enjoy the garden vistas. It is that part of the garden in which we may plant a few trees for shade, without fear that their shadows and hungry roots will work havoc with the flowers. The grass plot should never be isolated by surrounding it on all sides with gravel, as too often is done in
poses in view.
related
Its functions are
to
the flowers
65
garden with a circuit path so beloved by suburban dwellers. Let one or more of the
sides join a border,
would
come
into
Even
let
manner suggested
in
the early
0^0
(^
B
(?
Fig. 9.
The
grouping of beds
But beware
of fretting
by overdoing
it
this procedure,
and do
beds.
not pierce
with a multitude of
little
Remember
in
shape your
experience
you
it
will
mowing
it
and keeping
66 Beds
points,
GARDEN PLANNING
in grass are best grouped at one or two and the components of the group should
effect.
Com-
pare the two examples illustrated on page 65 (A correctly grouped, B incorrectly grouped).
It
is
harmonious
effect.
I
From what
in
garden design,
is
if
unavoid-
able,
may
be
made
interesting
by planting
Another
a
cen-
them with
plan
is
another
is
to
make
in
it,
which
an
the case
attractive
of
square
space
becomes
is
secondary focus.
An
important point
d']
grass
spaces.
may tempt
those
who
It
is
well to provide
all
means
which
it
points from
be approached, by bringing
up to the path at those points. This is done by curtailing the border some three or four feet at its end, or by breaking through it at some point in its length. Many examples illustrating this suggestion will be found in
the plans.
^When
ground
be
left
a grass plot
is
group of beds, ample verge should at the edges, and, whatever the shape
for a
mowing.
spaces of irregular
set in a
68
GARDEN PLANNING
[Z7/-n\Z]
oB<'
Fig. lo.
Girrect
will sufficiently
method is most likely to please the eye. There is no need to make the grass
the ground has a
natural slope,
level if
provided,
69
rule.
On
plot.
CHAPTER
VI
made
demands
of the
soil.
This
but that it shall be of sufficient depth and of proper consistency, and that it shall contain no undesirable constituents. Soils are as we find them, and not always as we would have them, so that the gardener who, by force of circumstances, has to till an intractable soil, must adopt artificial means
roots,
to bring
it
Reference
subject
in
has
already
been
made
to
the
is
breaking
He
Jl
about to make
his
The
stiff
it,
soil consists of
a top-spit of
If
brown loam
is
the latter
and
the gardener
may have
additional
of
importing
material.
But
let
would
is
Then
the
proper
procedure
and subsoil into intimate admixture, so that one may temper the other, and to do so to such a depth as the ordinary requirements of horticulture demand. In most
to bring
circumstances this
or
may
is
thereabout.
This
done
operation
explained.
It
is
known
as "trenching,"
by the now to be
may
its
work which
has for
turned over.
fall
Trenching
is
months
conducted
72
ground.
GARDEN PLANNING
In "full-trenching" the process has
soil,
so that
So complete a reversal may be admirable treatment for ground which has long been in
and therefore already broken up to it would be inadvisable in the case of new ground such as we are considering, the subsoil of which had
tillage,
On
constituents
It
is
clear,
be to " half-trench,"
soil
which consists
up the
subsoil with
But
there
is
still
a better
method
for
and subsoil
73
As that
is
the principal
method
him
is
to adopt.
The
operation
conducted as follows:
The ground
by
opened up to the
full
depth
the border, as
shown
Fig. II.
Trenching
the
illustration,
by the
soil
full
line
in
which
represents
the
trench in cross-section.
The
removed may at once be carried to a position near the far end of the border. The gardener then proceeds to fill up the trench at A with soil taken alternately from B and C, D and E, and so on till he reaches the end of the border, when the space left must be filled
in with the soil that has
the purpose.
If
the land
is
may
in
74
GARDEN PLANNING
their quota to enriching
is
depth,
assisting
effecting aeration,
aifords a
proportion of manure.
should
not be
Therefore
good manure, and as the work proceeds he should add it to the soil at a regular rate, until the whole contents of the border has been
treated. This must be done in a manner which ensures that the manure be well distributed in depth, not merely added to the
down
reserve of food
awaiting them.
Once made
in this
will
not
an-
The
dependent
upon the demands made upon it. It should be remembered that when we have
75
the
work
thoroughly
of beds of
compact
is
as just described
hardly
first
The
better
method
is
to
remove
it close at hand; then to do the same with the lower layer, making a separate heap of it; after which the bottom should be forked over and the soil thrown back, mixing well together that from the two separate heaps. A due proportion of manure should
Thus
which
soils
material must be added, and this is best done when the beds and borders are being formed. On heavy clay soils we may use sand, fine
gravel,
It
I
is
fear,
to
make
cinders overlying.
76
GARDEN PLANNING
At
least
two
The
cost
will
Fig.
12.
Drainage
for beds
and borders
Borders prepared in this way do not suffer from water-logging even during wet winters. In hot summer weather they neither bake nor become dry for any great distance down. If the trenching is done in the autumn, the winter frosts will help to break up the clay lumps, reducing them to a consistency more nearly approaching loam. The important point in the treatment of clay land is to secure a sufficient admixture of loose porous material to destroy the tenacity of the clay and to permit of moisture freely finding its way down through the mass of soil. A certain proportion of vegetable matter is a gain, as it has manurial
value.
77
weeds, and
In
garden and
will rot
house
which
due time
and supply
humus.
which usually owe their lightundue amount of sand, or may consist almost entirely of sand, we may add stiff loam and clay to give it greater body and a more retentive character. As such soils are usually deficient in humus, vegetable matter also may be added with advantage. Whether the treatment is designed to render a heavy soil lighter or a light one heavier, the aim of the garden maker should be to secure a well-drained bed or border, the soil of which, to a depth of at least two feet, Is of a workable consistency and not likely to suffer from exlight soils,
On
ness to an
Such a
soil
will
admit
air
air as
easily as
it
by hastening those
decomposition which are always taking place. In soils of the heaviest kind it may be
necessary
to
introduce
subsoil
tile,
drainage
by
means
of
agricultural
or rubble
drains
78
laid
GARDEN PLANNING
at regular intervals, but the gardener would be wise to avoid land which could be rendered workable only by such means. Drainage in that case would have to be carried out over the whole of the ground and not merely beneath the borders.
On
affords a
good opportunity
I
excess of stones.
ing, unless a
very coarse screen is employed, because a certain proportion of stones is an advantage to the soil, helping to keep it loose
and workable.
It
is
There cannot be two opinions about the of deep working, and it only needs to be tried and the results noted to impress the most sceptical gardener of its value. I now pass on to a consideration of the form and disposition of beds as picturesque elements in the garden. I need add nothing to what I have already said about borders, be-
wisdom
used
the term
"bed"
for
to
distinguish
detached
compartment
flower growing.
Beds
are
79
most often formed in turf. Sometimes, howthey are given a background of ever,
gravel,
desired.
particularly
when
a formal
effect
is
of bed,
it
regards
its
outline,
is
important, and
essential that
taste
by indulging
I
character.
disadvantages
from
practical
standpoint
having acute
objections
angles.
practical
count,
The
outlines
by which we bound
bi-
zarre shapes
they enclose.
and cared for is much greater than is necessary, and where beds of this kind exist in numbers
the extra labour
is
not negligible.
To
8o
GARDEN PLANNING
shown
in the illuscircle of the
of a five-pointed star, as
tration,
same diameter
A circle,
and
is
well
largest
amount of space
smallest length
therefore
of
the
boundary.
The
octagon,
Fig. 13.
Shapes
of beds
follow.
If
the
simple
lavish
he
is
necessarily become do not mean to say that on that account to confine himself to
shapes
he
will
of edging.
We must have variety form and scope for fancy. It is well, however, to have our eyes open to the consequences
those shapes alone.
in
of
indulging
in
sprawling
and
attenuated
8l
which
are
prodigal
little
of
margin but
enclose comparatively
flower space.
Of the forms
I
of
bed
in
circle,
by
their names.
OC3
82
GARDEN PLANNING
it is
placed,
if it
comes
suf-
square bed set in an oval grass plot would not harmonize so well with its outline as a circular or oval bed, as I have already pointed
out in connection with groups of beds. So in a square or rectangular plot of limited dimensions a square or rectangular
not sufficient
throw together several components bearing no relation to each other in shape. On the contrary, there should be a rigid harmony This is in shape between the components.
best secured
of
by giving attention
is
to the strips
to
make
these
strips
of
each other.
This
is
made
it
Practical
considerations
connection
with
mowing make
than
become
possible paths,
83
therefore be
fixed at
found in
plans in a
later chapter.
As regards the
size of a bed,
or of the corn-
Fig. 15.
Relation
between beds
in
a group
ponents of a group, no precise limits can be laid down. A bed may consist of a square
if
intended to
accommodate
a pillar rose.
On
84
a bold effect
GARDEN PLANNING
is
aimed
is
is
at.
ever, nothing
by a
circle
In groups of beds it is well to have a central component which dominates the group. But too great disparity in size between it and those
about
it is
not desirable.
is
When
the
a series of groups
to be made, as,
in-
definitely.
better to repeat
it, if
at
all,
at
between.
single beds,
able
in
The same applies to a series of though monotony is not so noticethat case, particularly if the form
is
employed
series
a simple one.
of equal
may
be quite inoffensive, but even in that case it would be better to break the line at equal distances by making a wider interval between
adjacent
thus introducing
85
The gardener
trouble
of his beds,
and this should make him cautious about indulging in figures the geometry of
is
which
With rectangular
circular beds,
and with
or those
bounded by
straight lines
and parts
a simple expedient
It
is
controlling
the
shape.
otherwise
right.
on the question
if
of
camber
we may judge by
and others to heap it up until the bed takes on the semblance of a gigantic pincushion. Safety lies in the happy medium. Some camber is desirable as a means for throwing off the water during heavy showers, and it
flat,
improves
in
the
appearance
are
of
all
the
flowers,
particularly
when they
of a height, as
bedding practice.
drain off the
to
of the bed.
86
GARDEN PLANNING
Beds
In gravel,
flat
if edged with box, should be on the surface, otherwise the
kept nearly
moisture which gravitates to their margins would tend to carry soil out upon the gravel
surface.
CHAPTER VII
Construction of Walks and Drives
The
it
first essential in
a garden path
is
that
has to
be
it
only foot
traffic,
mower, and garden barrow. It must also be well drained, so that after
showers
its
no detail in the garden which conmore materially to its general good appearance and to the comfort of its users than a well-made and well-kept path.
is
There
tributes
traffic
may
also
be referred to
in this
chapter, as practically
them, though
87
in fact, their
GARDEN PLANNING
making should involve the
ordi-
down the line of a drive, if any made from the straight, the curves should make wide sweeps. Abrupt turns in
In laying
is
departure
on dark nights.
for a carriage drive
may
There are two points in a drive which call on the part of the designer, If the viz., the entrance and the terminal.
for special attention
it is
well
as to
is
make space
and
this
especially necessary
when
It
narrow thoroughfare.
is usually done by boundary hedge curve inward toward the gates, or curved wing walls
making the
railings or
may be
a semicircle.
When
it
should break
by
or
89
common
tangent
It
is
so laid
down
is
that
its
length
it
is
unnecessarily
This
a waste of material
and of space.
Fig. 16.
Entrance
to drive
On
level
by the Curved
shortest route
drives,
is
generally
may
afford
an opportunity
privacy
is
screening the
house
when
desirable.
On
90
GARDEN PLANNING
must be determined with a view to ensuring an easy gradient, and in such case it maybe necessary to use curves freely.
Fig. 17.
The carriage-turn
Where
an expansion should be made to permit of vehicles turning, and it should be wide enough
9I
them
radius
to prevent
damage
The form
if it is
of the "carriage-turn"
if
immaterial
is
space
restricted
figure
it is
some
approximating
turn
is
unnecessary, but
may
be retained
in
some form
house door.
a
which
The coming of the motor car has introduced new and insistent problem in driveway en-
in the
open country
lie
in the
The factors
thus:
tion the
direcstreet
tive slopes in
and curb, elevation of sidewalk above curb, relawalk and curb, elevation of sidewalk above curb, relative slopes in walk and curb, general character of
ground as respects
lines
and
92
GARDEN PLANNING
The average
is
and the result, six feet three inches, is a serviceable width for the automobile runway. Six feet
six inches
is
quite
is
a good
circumstances, unless
when the
is
overall
They
in
less
It is
are separated
ramp equal
to or bur slight-
This
The width
will
vary according to
a driver will do
From
what
when turning
off
the street
93
minimum
it is
clearance allowis
preferable.
In laying out a
far as service
ramp
well to be liberal so
is
demand
sufficient for
made equal
when viewed from the front. The side Hnes of the ramp come into the Hne of the walk at a
right angle.
is
essential in
For the most pleasing results this normal cases. The ramp curbs
articulate
should be
made to
where the two come together is certain to spoil the appearance of the work. The track of the car as it approaches and enters the grounds is on a curve, and it is only rational to curve the
side lines of the
If the
ramp. runways are eighteen inches wide, any driver can keep on them while backing out, and
curbs are not needed as a guide.
94
Gravel
GARDEN PLANNING
Paths
Much
make
is
objectionable on
account of the
liability of
must be excavated to a depth of twelve bottom is reached, and taken bodily away. The trench must then be
inches, or until a firm
filled
in
and to en-
Over
this
may
The
may
crown straight
beneath.
in the direction
of the path's
After
liberal
watering
The
free use of
water at
95
important to success, as
consolidation
it
ensures
gravel
the
subsequent
its
of
the
roller.
and prevents
adhering to the
The
may
be determined
by noting the action of the roller, which should carry before it a wave of creamy liquid, a mix-
Fig.
the gravel.
The
roller
should be a moderately
heavy one.
at least
to a fair surface
should be
left
if
These
much
the better.
They
also
may
be
made
but
Tar Paths
durable,
colour
is
against
them,
soft
and
in hot
have,
however,
96
constituent
GARDEN PLANNING
of which
was a gray
material,
had disappeared.
Tar and other paths made of impervious material should not be flanked by impervious
tiles,
Cement
in colour
Paths
These
are
unsympathetic
of frost.
To guard
laid
on a concrete basis
inches
thick.
Cement may be
it
warmer and more genial hue. Brick Paths Next to gravel the
brick path
it
is
holds
first
place: indeed, in
my
opinion,
its
want of
flexibility,
fines.
it
which
unfits
it
for
use in curved
Its
may
durability,
off"ers
for
Yet the
97
its
may
be met with in
many
old gardens,
its
material.
a hint,
From
and,
if
this
observation
we may take
we
vious to water.
They may
by plunging one
pears after
it
and noting
In
rubble foundation
is
ma-
over which
is
put
layer
of finely
if any camber were given to the surface, but on dead-level ground there may be half an inch difference of level between the sides and centre of a three-foot path. The bricks should be laid flat upon the sand
perceptible
in true line
98
GARDEN PLANNING
a stretched cord.
It
is
best to
one side from end to end, and to select the side which comes against
turf, as that helps to
keep
more or
is
The concave
easily
downward, otherwise
and
=1L-L-LTi-i::
Fig. 19.
Design
lor
brick path
They may be
is if
not
99
or a pattern
lines
may
be worked
in
as indicated
the
In this
it will
bricks
not desirinvolves
of
able
to
adopt
a
of
pattern
bricks,
which
because
much
ends.
If
cutting
the
difficulty of
making neat
is
well laid
the other
its
marginal
free side
neatly along
and complete the path. In bedding the bricks upon their seating the sand may be added to or removed, as occasion requires, to bring the upper surface of
The
principal
precaution needed
is
preferred,
the
marginal
say,
of
bricks
may
two
but
about
centre,
above
practice
the
is
level
the
that
not conducive to
efficient
drainage.
I
but to make
edging
it
it
serve
tile
must be
100
GARDEN PLANNING
brought into proper relation with the ground on either side. That is best done by adopting the rule of making the level of the path at its edges the
same
(when it skirts a grass and an inch and a half higher than the edge of the border when it comes against the soil. This is shown in the sectional illustration.
as that of the turf
plot),
Fig.
20.-
Section
The weight of ^^^^HP^** the bricks keeps them in place, but ^^ is well to Comof brick path
pact the
soil
of
comes against the path by ramming, to ensure that the bricks on that side do not get out of place. In the case of very
it
light soils I
have found
it
desirable to push a
few
slates
down
mar-
them
If this is done at every fourth brick, and at a joint, the whole is made fairly secure. Grouting with cement would perhaps be a safer expedient, but I have not found it necessary. On sloping ground, where the slope crosses
may continue
and
it
the natural
should be
made
lOI
may
When the bricks have been laid the joints may be filled up with loose sand, watered to
carry
it
filled
up to a
level
Whatever
to run
may have
about
Over-elaboration of
The
simpler
evident that
dimension, a
Composite Paths
all
In
being settled.
this category I Include
tiles
are used in
combination
cobble
with
concrete,
stone
mosaics,
I
stones,
and other
like
materials.
*To avoid misapprehension I may say that I use the words "flat" and "level" in their strictly separate senses. An inclined path may be flat but is not level. A level path is flat of necessity.
I02
GARDEN PLANNING
for
used
the
framework.
is
The
preparation
all-
of the foundation
The
ter
general idea of
may
be gathered
illustration.
from the
It will
be seen that
forms
the
brickwork
which
filling
is
completed by
tween
with
rial.
members
matefound
ex-
another
I
have
road
macadam an
and
half, I
fill
in
the
first
gravel,
and
the
IO3
macadam
and
them
their upper
slightly higher
When
the space
go over
a mallet, beating
down
are
all
level
is
The exuding
mortar
that
path
finished.
After
allowing
set,
an
hour
for the
mortar to partly
may
brush and
In twelve hours
firm
as
as
rock,
mortar
used
for
the
mosaic
work
plan
less
is
satisfactory
fill
appearance
to
in the spaces
and
They should be
by the use
on end in dry sand, levelled and mallet, and then grouted with liquid cement poured amongst
laid
of the board
I04
GARDEN PLANNING
a pail until
it rises
them from
of the pebbles.
Another mode of
filling
is
use
coarse
Similar paths
tiles
may
for bricks.
substituting
greater and
more skill is required in the setting, which must be done on a bed of mortar. I do not
think that anything
tiles
is
to be said in favour of
instead of bricks.
They
and therefore do not dry so quickly. They are also more liable to be dislodged and broken.
Tile Paths
All-tile
some suburban fore-courts, and frequently offended by reason of the violent contrasts
in
in the colour of the tiles.
tiles in large
squares, or of oven
is
not
displeasing, but
are long.
is
Flagstones
are
occasionally
met with in old gardens. I do not favour them for many reasons. One is that one cannot help associating them with the flagged
IO5
yet another
become
"dished," giving
I
rise to
waste, and
and
it
is
i.
e.,
it
make an
interesting path.
which purpose
all
sharp
pieces.
angles
I
should
be
give an illustra-
upon Japanese
practice.
medium
is
needed.
may
be
Red sandstone is an excellent material, and white stone is admissible, as it soon loses its glare, and tones down under the influence of weather and vegetable growth.
I06
GARDEN PLANNING
FiK. 22.
Design
Fig. 23.
Design
for stone
path
IO7
of this class
form of steppingstones, as the Japanese do, but the effect so obtained must not be overdone. Its legitimate place is on the grass.
in the
Note
like fine
it is well to screen out all which otherwise would adhere to the boots in wet weather and be carried into the house. Shells form an almost hopeless
blue stone
stuff
know
of for finding
Its
way
Indoors.
CHAPTER VIII
Grass as a Foundation
There
nature's
is
in a well-kept stretch of
It
is
embodiment
background
for
by which we may judge the capabilities of the If turf we must have, let us have it green and fresh and innocent of spot or blemish.
Secondary as
picture loses
it is
it
must
The
is
much of
its
unworthy of
it.
We may obtain our grass in any of three ways: we may import turfs, sow seed, or be content with the old pasture grass as we find
it.
Just which
we
by circumstances.
Old pasture
is not
GRASS AS A FOUNDATION
IO9
Upon heavy
too thin a
land.
It
may
be growing upon
find
in
it
soil,
and we should
be
full of
water-
logged in winter
and scorched
summer.
Moreover,
it
may
undesirable weeds,
and infested with insects ready to migrate to our beds and borders. On the other hand, we may be lucky in lighting upon some rich meadowland in which the conditions are favourable to the growth of good turf, and where thistles and other noxious weeds are conspicuous by their absence.
In such case
we may we are
tions.
saved the trouble and expense of further operaShould we be driven back upon one
of the other
choice
according
is
the
local
conditions.
Which
or seed?
ourselves
This problem we may work out for when we know the cost of turf In
our
district.
We may
be able to get
it,
it
for the
and,
if It
Is
near at
may
be
small.
But we
may have
which
will
to
pay
About
thirty-six
no
here
GARDEN PLANNING
we
alone.
The same
sown with
one to one and one half bushels of grass seed costing about $5 per bushel, which is very slight Then the labour of turf outlay for material.
that
The principal advantage of using turfs is we obtain a close, matured grass surface more quickly than we can do by sowing. On
the other hand, there
is
our turf
tion of
may
opinion.
Though
sufficient
the spring
it
is
may
and proper precautions are taken. Sowing can only be done with the certainty of a good result in the spring and autumn.
This
consideration
may
carry
weight with
gardeners
who
GRASS AS A FOUNDATION
ground.
If levelling
III
has to be undertaken in
is
the
it
should be com-
bined draining,
demands
ing the
it.
of the soil
must
be
to be subsequently distrib-
uted
over
This done,
and the
been lowered must be forked over to a depth The whole surface may then of eight inches.
be
treated
with
upon
If
it
Insufficient,
it
now
the
time to
supplement
by an
from outside, or obtained as a by-product from some other Planks should be used part of the garden.
additional supply imported
is
in operation;
otherwise
to
be caused
that
are
not easy
obliterate.
Screening
layer
is
may
be practised
It
is
if
the surface
stony.
essential
when sowing
112
grass
seed,
GARDEN PLANNING
but of
less
moment where
is
turfs
are used.
The
face,
a simple
but
it
after the
Time
venes so
der the
much
soil in
the better, as
it
will
hasten
the subsidence, disclose inequalities, and rena better condition to weld with
the
laid
in
close contact
work proceeds.
be made good come under the workman's observation, with the same material. After all is laid, the surface must be gone over with the beater,
Inequalities in the ground
as they
may
and
all
upstanding
places
treated
with
It
If
no rain immediately follows, the turfs may be submitted to a good watering, after which the beater should be used again, and any hollows and gaping joints should be filled up with soil.
GRASS AS A FOUNDATION
After a day or two's
rest,
II3
surface
and
reduce
Inequalities.
After
the
usual
operations
of
mowing and
calls
may
It
be performed as occa.ion
is
for them.
of weeds
on
newly
all
turfed
ground, and to
promptly eradicate
Before sowing
is
that appear.
will
The
operation of sowing
is
best
March
ber.
till
Some
autumn
warm and
The quantity
square
too
feet.
much than
weighs
of
too
little.
bushel
of
in the
twenty
pounds.
Obtain
the
114
GARDEN PLANNING
closely
from
local
sources,
even
bearing a well-
may
seeds or chaff.
Sow
dry
with
and
roll.
If
the surface
soil is
damp
it will
pick UD on the
it.
roller,
away by
by covering
similar
it
The
ance
make
days.
their appearIf
within
twenty-one
it
rain
has
may
be
earlier.
When
may
It
must be
will
for cutting, or
GRASS AS A FOUNDATION
plants instead of taking off their tops.
this, at intervals,
II5
After
the weeds which come most often to mock the lawn maker appear, they may be effectually dealt with by placing a pinch of dry table salt on the crown of each This kills them in a day or two. plant.
Should plantains
Sown
grass
is
materially assisted
if
treated
seedsman
suitable.
If
may
moss makes
soil is
its
it
that the
Moss
is
in
itself
is
in
no sense
harmful, but
soil.
These, of course,
and
I
have
may
here
Il6
If
GARDEN PLANNING
possible,
position
is
is
should be selected
naturally approximately-
When
this
not feasible,
"^^
I
it
becomes
.1
iwnini-^*w&
Fig. 24.
Level
and straight-edge
necessary to transfer
soil
The
operator
spirit-level,
foundation approximately
or sighting from
carrying
cross-pieces
horizontally
by
means
of the level.
He
and standing
so
much above
amount
the foundation
of surface soil to
it.
Taking
GRASS AS A FOUNDATION
II7
are at the
fill
same
level.
It
mains to
and compacting by
rolling.
The pegs
may
The
has
be removed at
tennis
net size
seventy - eight
by
thirty-six
game.
Additional width
for
for
36ft.
_L_
Tennis court
space
hundred feet by fifty feet is not too great an allowance, and may be taken
as the
of
one
the comfort
and convenience
The
croquet
ground,
according
Ii8
GARDEN PLANNING
should measure thirty-five yards by twentyeight yards, or in feet one hundred and five
13-
GRASS AS A FOUNDATION
II9
two
itself,
courses.
He may
it
it
allot
it
space
to
enclosing
by a hedge
in
or screen of trees
thing
not
altogether
may
frankly proclaim
itself
as
an obvious
feature
design.
both plans.
would not be so conspicuous a feature as in a type of garden In which a naturalesque effect was aimed at, and winding walks were elements
in
the design.
is
There
no
need to
fast
It
may
the
roomy stretch of level turf where game and horticulture are not likely to come into conflict. Tennis lawns made upon ground which carries a marked slope are not always sightly
sufficiently
of the
"hanging gardens"
of Babylon.
Such
lawns
may
I20
if
GARDEN PLANNING
much
outlines
by means
screening.
Revived
interest
in
install a
The
It
width
is
is
admissible
space
is
restricted.
surface,
and
it
must be
truly
level.
The them
vantage
ground
for spectators.
Nothing tends
so
destroy
character
much
as
the injudicious
The shape
in a large
is
determined
the plan.
Yet there
gardener to go astray
principle for which I
am
Take,
GRASS AS A FOUNDATION
for instance, a
121
converge.
when he
mere wedge.
border or path.
surprisingly easy to
'details,
lines.
good
rule, therefore, is to
permit no acute
angles,
narrow
horns
in
In
the
rectilinear
treatment
of
small
difficul-
gardens these
ties will
hardly
arise,
but they
plot one.
is
may do
a
so in
converging
Fg-
27. Acute
angles in grass
in
curves,
of
the
more
careful
consideration,
122
GARDEN PLANNING
to
being
will
detract
from
the
breadth
of
effect,
of
which
the
The
fretwork design,
is
to be
s^me
and
reason.
The
The
on the part of the gardener. where a bed or group of beds could be placed with advantage to the garden picture, because he has an eye trained to proportion. Those who lack such training must first realize their deficiency, and then
discretion
artist "feels"
seek
for
guidance
by studying elementary
principles, of
pages,
is
The
(Fig.
28)
has to
fill
on the
side of
many detached
beds.
my injunction
GRASS AS A FOUNDATION
123
about the grass verge, under which term may be included the strips which separate bed
from bed
a
in a group.
parallel sides
and
minimum width
better
of eighteen inches.
Two feet is
if
space permits.
When
plot
is
a garden
situated
onslopingground,
if
the
slope
it
is
is
slight only,
garden follow
it
Fig. 28.
Beds
in relation to grass
than to attempt
levelling,
is
On
may
larities
tunity for variety in the general treatment of the garden, according to the particular views
of the garden owner.
of the ground
in the
is
124
GARDEN PLANNING
filled
be
in
become pools
wet weather.
As with
lines,
break, so that
we cannot
Grass slopes should be used sparingly, because they involve extra labour in the mowing
and are apt to suffer in time of drought. When necessitated by the nature of the ground, as
in a hillside garden,
be intensified.
in the
making
cent paths.
It
sunk so much below the grass level that the soil is exposed beneath the turf. This allows soil to break away, or be washed out by the
rain,
It also
involves
additional
grass edges.
There
sufficient to
ensure
the
mower
is
when used on
is
this rule
followed
GRASS AS A FOUNDATION
enough.
In
practice,
25
the
question
is
most
with path
When
to
soil,
it is
as in the
making
not
call for
soil.
If
much
less there is
the danger of
grass.
soil
and stones
grass
working on to the
Though
exists.
it
may
be used,
as, for
instance,
when an
I
alternative
path
of
gravel
have
where it gives quite a and finished appearance to that department. In the case to which I allude the ground had quite recently been meadowland, and the vegetable beds had just been cut in the turf, allowing main paths five feet
in the kitchen garden,
distinctive
that width.
ical
cannot
commend
where
of
space,
but
there
room
economample advantages on
it
as
is
126
GARDEN PLANNING
is
highly preferable
an edging be provided.
The
may have
it
its utility in
by some adventitious circumstance by design. A border skirting grass may have opposed to it a long bed, and the gardener may decide to connect the two by a
rather than
pergola.
and
a very
charming
of
may
find a tunnel
have already referred to them by the term "verge." Each gardener will decide for himwhether the space at his disposal admits and whether the eff^ect to be obtained from it is commensurate with the
self
of such a feature,
labour Involved in
keeping
it
trimmed.
If
CHAPTER IX
How
It
is
TO Plan a Garden
open mind. He should look for suggestions from the site, not omitting to take into account environment. The best garits immediate
dens are personal: they take their character
asked
"What
style
of
and
sense
The
exact
treatment
rule.
for
given plot
not to be laid
down by
The
do so
gardener
may
when he has carefully studied it. In Chapter IV I showed the utility of straight lines in
to magnify the difficulties of planning,
do not wish and I may say at the outset that the more knotty problems arise most often in connection with
an oblong plot of limited
size.
I
127
128
plots of
GARDEN PLANNING
irregular
shapes
or
contours,
as
or
plots
unfavourably
conditioned
regards
of
The treatment
may
be a very
is
given
Yet even the smallest plot involves alternative modes of planning, and then the gardener must give his casting vote for that
one which, after satisfying the requirements of horticulture and the conditions which make
for
artistic
quality,
best
accords
with
his
personal views.
The
first
point to consider
is
the appor-
How much
Do
I
space do
.f*
table ground
want
I
Have
to
provide a
playground
for
children?
Must
limit
my
flower space to
in
what
my
spare time?
These
will
and
possibly
other
questions
In
them
29
of skeleton idea of
what he would
garden to be.
be to lay
down on paper
it
site to scale,
foot,
and mark on
and
front, or
may
be.
He
should
direction in
which the
fall.
maximum amount
gate
of
sunlight
will
premises are
The
be marked in
proper position.
This
much
him
If
in bird's-eye
may
much
Usually this
will
occupying
be
at
that
position.
The
division
should
oblique.
130
GARDEN PLANNING
Is
right-angled
division
squares
the
flower garden.
and If the aspect is east or west, there should be no hesitation in giving it a place against the north fence, where it will receive full sun.
fence
feet
distant
line
at,
from
say,
it,
three
If
principal path.
may
be added, at
mark
off
will
be
make these operations clear. The path is now represented by a narrow ribbon with no terminal at either end. We may now
consider the approach to and destination of
the path.
an
earlier
by marking
start
its
house, from
may
journey.
Such a device
I3I
Fig. 29.
Typical
garden plan
Fig. 30.
The method of
offsets
132
aspect
is
GARDEN PLANNING
that assumed in the example, but
employed.
mode
of doing this, as
many examples
will
As
Though
direct
it is
a good rule to
destinations,
make paths go
an exception
is
to their
monotonous feature. I therefore favour some device which breaks the line, such as may be contrived by cranking the path or by introducing an expansion into its length.
a
gives
opportunity
to
for
border
terminate
vista
in a transverse extension,
is
by which the
sets
improved, and a
We
will
out from
say,
summer
house.
of the space to
the south of
I33
to
how much
allot to the
sense of proportion and by the value we set If space permits we upon our grass plot. may add a narrow border along the southern
fence
I
line.
I
may
call
the
The
manded.
so
As a
much
variety as
may
be obtained within
par-
this
would not hold good for a plot with a different aspect, and for that
ticular treatment
reason
aspect
in this
It
Is
should
not be
copied
unless
the
example.
up
use
his picture
This
Involves
the
of
such
and of such
golas,
artificial
summer
plan
134
in
GARDEN PLANNING
door, or in
some
in
he
may hope
mind by building
may
He
from already
exist-
help
the picture,
On
he
may
about "composition"
the term, he
must avoid symmetry in masses, by other means. If he has decided upon a garden-house, let him have it built with a simple, pointed roof, and restrain his impulses in the direction of destroying its outlines with a maze of rustic work. Its pyramid form is useful in giving
and seek
for balance of effect
certain
punctuation
it
to
the
skyline.
He
may
even decorate
with a weather-cock,
HOW
in
TO PLAN A GARDEN
35
naked
amidst
surroundings;
it
will
be better associated
It
is
not desirable to
have a uniformity
structures.
If
them soar
up to the
level of the
weather-cock on your
garden-house.
necessary height in
stated,
their
of
symmetry.
Let no two be at the same distance from
your standpoint, and select them of different kinds and sizes. Grouping is preferable to
scattering,
or placing the
trees
in
"serried
rows."
By
will
not be
difficult
we have been
discussing.
You
136
GARDEN PLANNING
next jot
may
down on
and you
labour
on paper.
will
then have
all
Fig. 31.
Arrangement
of trees
vases,
located,
and
in-
the vegetable
it off
Some
gardeners
may
prefer to treat
it
as a thing
37
Gardens,
we cannot
afford
to
neglect the
garden
effect.
it
how
far
we can use
result
is
at our disposal.
this
continue from the flower garden and through the vegetable plot, thereby extending the garden vista to the extreme limit
borders,
into
of the ground.
In certain circumstances
it
may be
advisable,
and
line.
is
not a straight
line.
may
The
may
be definitely marked by a
by an informal line of shrubs. Much depends upon the disposition of the other factors and
the gardener's views as to the desirability or
would not
for a
is
moment
unsightly.
On
the contrary,
its
may
138
GARDEN PLANNING
themselves.
Still
there
are
do not look their best as, for instance, when sprouts tower lankily skyward, and peas are yellowing and sinking into disorder.
The planning
same general
style
though the
details
and
is
of treatment
may
scale,
be different.
It
mainly a question of
by the
of
larger
the
problem.
Still
the
and the planner must ever be alive and of building up a picture in three dimensions. Gardens of irregular outline may involve some early difficulties in planning, but they are generally amenable to treatment on common-sense principles, and not infrequently such gardens are, by their unusual shape, eminently adapted for obtaining picturesque effects. Examples of such gardens
described,
will
39
afford
When, by reason
its
be treated
is
in curves,
To those who may have difficulty in thinking in curves, I may suggest that they first lay down the
not always so easy to find.
main lines of the plan in straight lines, afterward translating them into sinuous ones. This may be of some help, but it will not remove all the difficulties, and it is not easy to give
rules to cover the
It
whole ground.
may
am
is
a series
to be
Its
combest
mended, though
excuse
is
it
is
often done.
and render
In the laying
down
of curves
geometry helps
140
US but
little.
GARDEN PLANNING
The eye
is
excellent help
and
its
curve
fails
obtained.
All curves which
are parts of circles are
and
centre peg.
When
has
first
which
been
is
laid
the
method
illus-
of offsets
the easiest.
This
tration,
line.
is
sufficiently explained
the the
datum
down, row
When
space a special
either
must be
laid
stretched cord or a
CHAPTER X
Sloping Gardens
Gardens upon
is
sloping ground,
if
the slope
considerable,
demand
special
treatment,
which
will vary according to circumstances. Such gardens may be made picturesque and
interesting,
if
the
aspect
other
than southern.
In a steeply sloping garden the aim should be a quite informal or naturalesque treatment.
Winding walks may be carried across the slope, turning upon themselves in an Irregular zigzag. Here and there pockets may be
carved
out
of
the
hillside
to
make
level
way
of securing
would from
142
GARDEN PLANNING
On
the whole
it
is
better
much on
a steep
hillside.
The first
the treatment
good
the
to
mask
slopes
and outlines of
the
artificial work.
The
Fig. 32.
Terracing sectional
view
entrance
drive or walk
Fig. 33.
Terracing sectional
of
view
In
the
case
small
gardens,
some
SLOPING GARDENS
in
I43
is
the
second
sectional
view
the
best
treatment.
The natural slope is shown by a dotted line and it is evident just how much excavation and banking is necessary. By a little care in
fixing the levels
it
is
may
just
is
excavated
the banks.
soil
for
making
an example of a slope away from the house. When the garden slopes toward the house a different method should be
This
followed, because the effect of looking from a
is
that
little
or nothing
on the
level
Is
seen.
Fig. 34.
Terracing sectional
view
Thus,
will
If
terracing
is
better, therefore,
144
GARDEN PLANNING
the other hand, gardens which slope to.
On
ward the house throw the rain-water to the lower level, necessitating some system of
drainage for carrying
it
away.
I
in the
sense of walled
Walls
are
costly
The drop from one level to the next may be made by means of a grassed bank, a retaining
board,
or
a
rock-faced
slope,
according
is
to
circumstances.
When
the
slope
Is
to
the
bank
know
way
of dealing with
it.
^On grassed
Fig.
3S.
Steps in path
slopes
shrubs
may
SLOPING GARDENS
require to be stepped, and this
I45
many ways.
method
is
Possibly
fix
to
end, and to
fill
in the treads
to
surface.
Re-
shown in the illustration. Gardens in which the natural slope is transverse to their length do not involve the same difficulties, and they are not usually found of such steep gradients,- or, if they are, their small width, compared with their length, makes the
problem of planning a simpler one. It often becomes feasible to effect a change of levels at the path line in some such way as appears
in this
sectional view.
Fig. 36.
Dealing
In this illustration
raised
it
will
be seen that a
border
is
made on
146
the
path,
GARDEN PLANNING
supported_ hy
a
retaining
If
board,
the lower
boundary
practice,
for
is
It
is
good
to
make
face.
two or three inches above the ground surIf the boundary is a wall it may be
In neither case, however, would such
soil
foot.
was
heavy and impervious one. A narrow border along the lower boundary will usually serve as sufficient drainage.
^5
transverse direction
make
soil
the ground
the lower
boundary
bank, as
it
depth of
soil
to
lie
in contact
SLOPING GARDENS
I47
bank
or with a hedge.
case to be mentioned
is
that
much
its
will
and
aspect.
surface in such a
much work
plateaus
an
artificial
character.
It
on
a
as
considerable
slope
proclaim
themselves
it is
man's
handiwork,
wherefore
well to conceal as
much
of this
work
as
possible.
In some cases
a compromise
it
may
be desirable to effect
by not
series
ground to a
of levels,
but by merely
series of slopes
148
GARDEN PLANNING
In
all
of less gradient.
point
is
we
final result
it
what
owes
to spade work.
As
for
gardens,
may
give
making them.
alternative plan to the one already deis
An
scribed
made
to attach
complete structure, as
When
I
through
rockwork
may
set in
mortar or
They
on edge, and
it
is
well
make good
if
steps,
and by
their
weight keep
in place
SLOPING GARDENS
149
Fig.
38. Steps
ISO
GARDEN PLANNING
it is
best to
make
soil
from working
On moderate
at an angle
ma^
be of
is
soil left
and
turfed.
There
something quite
un-
tJ^
Fig- 39-
Spreading
steps
second figure.
When
the slope
is
it is
two or more
good
steps
concession to appearances.
is
When
effect
in
small, a
will
from
spreading
the
in Fig. 39.
have avoided reference to architectural features associated with steps, as, for instance,
side
and wing
walls, pillars,
and caps.
These,
SLOPING GARDENS
if
I5I
capped with
flat
may
carry
and a sense of
CHAPTER XI
The Rock Garden
There
is
no feature
in the
modern small
garden so badly contrived as the rock garden, or "rockery," as it has come to be called. It is too often but a formless heap of stone rubbish
or clinkers in which a few sickly ferns struggle
for existence.
to be interesting, but
To
There is no corner of his domain which yields more interest. It is a garden withis
a delight.
in a garden, a place
where nature has all her quaint and beauflowers and varied foliage from early
It
is
well to under-
The
common
stone
and mineral
into a grotto-
53
first principles.
closely,
and
see
why
as
stone
The
answer
is
we
The
casual observer
who
will
life,
jewelled
dered
how the
food for
Yet if he had pushed his investigation carefully on the spot he would have found that every plant was rooted deeply
so luxuriant a display.
in
is
some
soil.
is
Here, then,
the explanation.
The rock
pot.
But
it
ad-
mounits
Thus
itself of
154
GARDEN PLANNING
if it fails
in this,
its
principal function,
how can
it
serve
pur-
pose as a
home
The
those
idea, not
the rock
food suitable
doned.
The
They
serve to
we wish
to grow, which
is
good;
still,
the
soil,
a constant supply of
This being
our rocks
its
substance a certain
soil
subject to evaporation.
The
in
is
that the
soil
This
is
may
age
it
of a
55
what comes
is
to the
same
thing,
by sinking
In
Its floor
level.
It
should
The
It
is,
rock garden
should be as
as
possible.
with
walls,
greenhouses,
or
other
falls
to pieces.
It
Is
neigh-
whose roots would find their and exhaust it, and whose leaves In autumn would sadly litter its surface. Moreover, it is well to be consistent in our mimicry, and to remember that the landscape Is Innoct^nt of trees at the altitude where alpine
bourhood of
trees,
way
Aspect
fied,
The
satis-
that
though
this does
which
the
156
GARDEN PLANNING
great charm of the rock garden
is
One
its
variety,
and that can best be maintained byproviding all the conditions of aspect and exposure demanded by the various plants availMaterials
Perhaps
is
the purpose
most
tuffa,
easily
obtainable
in
his
district.
A
do.
and
conglomerate
will
unprocurable, or
cost
prohibitive,
shift
then
the
gardener
must make
that which
Clinkers,
porous.
vitrified brick
fragments, dressed
stone blocks,
they
The
too uniform in
Good
bold pieces up to
57
stone
made on
the spot,
by
plastering
work.
this
kind,
may
skilled
serve
excellently.
done by
would be a
failure.
have seen
it
suggested
may
be made by
the liability
The
is
by
frost
In
this particular
we cannot do
better
We
become
ticles of
associated
life.
plant
158
GARDEN PLANNING
be made as follows:
Good
friable
loam
... ...
. .
6 parts
I
part
2 parts
i
part
To
of
this
may be added
stable
a moderate proportion
well-decayed
manure.
is
The whole
will
number
it is
of plants usually
rock garden,
for those
soil.
unsuitable for
in
To meet
it is
desirable to
some peat may be introduced for the benefit of the bog plants, and to add a limy constituent to the compost (lime
reserve a place where
den
in
which
it is
plants.
Beyond that
soil
hardly feasible or
worth while to go
The prepared
clay,
must be
entirely free
from
and to ensure
be taken
59
Making
soil,
Having obtained the rocks and the and having selected a suitable site for the
its
contours
may
be undertaken.
pass through
last.
it,
but
this will
have to be made
age,
his
rockwork
soil
shall
On heavy
on
a
soil,
clay
the
former
kind
plan
of
is
best;
gravel,
latter.
or
other
porous
the
of course, that
compost just
to
mark out
into place.
Now
comes an imin
by the way
which he
He
should endeavour to
them up
as
if
matter of chance.
i6o
GARDEN PLANNING
illustration
The
Not
until he has
com-
Fig. 40.
Earthwork
in the
rock garden
find
it
it
lower
contours, which he
make
That much accomplished, the gardener may commence to place his rocks by outlining with them the foot of each slopCjthereby at the same
time defining his path.
For
work he should select rocks of various sizes, here and there introducing a bold mass to accentuate some angle, thereby avoiding the effect of an artificial edging. This edging must
be well done, with the rocks in close contact,
l6l
much
soil will
be subsequently washed
medium
Such crevices as remain may be well rammed with compost, and will
then offer temptation to the plants to thread
them with
rootlets,
by which the
soil will
be
In laying down the line of the path no attempt should be made to maintain equality of
width throughout.
better effect
is
On
the contrary, a
if
much
secured
width.
one or more spots, of an island of rockwork in or near the centre of a specially contrived expansion of the path.
(See Figs. 105, 116, 129.)
Fig. 41.
Rockwork
section
The
soil
may
points, thus
it,
must be
contrived
number
of
irregular pockets
l62
GARDEN PLANNING
levels, and not as a series which would be an obviously arrangement. Here again bold pieces
Standing at different
of parallel terraces,
artificial
of rock
must be used
at irregular intervals,
constituting miniature ramparts, over which some pretty trailing plant will later on make a
may
with
its
velvet
white
stars.
Fig. 42.
Rocks
in relation to soil
The
A
its
good rule
in place.
lie
higgledyof
some kind
is
best secured
by giving all the flattened masses a slight tilt in some particular direction, to convey the
idea of a naturally inclined stratification.
163
who aim
some
height
is
desired at
may be
would occur
in nature.
Fig. 43.
Arrangement
of rock masses
The pockets
vary
lops.
soil,
and be irregular in shape. They should never take the form of a series of scalin size,
Some
inclination
may
it
be allowed to the
a suitable
These steps
may
be built of
filled
flat
soil,
with
which
rock-foils
and stone-
164
crops
GARDEN PLANNING
may
If these
steps be introduced,
better to
carry
to
them between two adjacent mounds than make them ascend a conspicuous elevation.
will
much
practical
will
He
see
how
far
it
is
istic effect,
and
may
Although
recent
garden has
increased
American gardens,
greatly
have seen
The
There charm is
out-crop.
fully that
many hundreds
type of garden
Such gardens have cost their owners of dollars, but they are no betthan the more simple
I
am
describing.
The gardener
165
character of the
For instance, a promontory formed at a bend in the path should have a line more nearly approaching the first than the second
figure in the
accompanying
illustration.
Fig. 44.
Arrangements of
rock masses
An
artist
would
less
instinctively produce
good
contours; the
may
find to imitate.
I
an inducement to that Nature is ever kind to her votaries, and when the garden has been planted she will do her best to conceal
offer it as
Though
do not
indifferent work, I
may remark
shortcomings.
For bog plants it is well to arrange one or more bays, in which the peat may lie in a level surface, as peat is unstable on a slope. An
i66
GARDEN PLANNING
may
be cut off
by a
line),
line of small
and
in that
laid
in which the peat may be on a not too porous subsoil. Bog plants demand a water-logged home. If water is
level
can be made,
-'M,-,:^
Fig. 45.
Arrangements of
is
bog
plants
at
its
edge, where
the peat
may
water.
and the
result
viewed
in all holes
and
167
wooden
down
to the lowest
After the
first
where
it
If of necessity
have
little
it is
character.
Yet with
ingenuity he
may
The
many
bricks
cemented together
ing a decided,
if
in the burning,
rather
artificial, stratification.
may
decide.
He may
their
place
them that
on end, with a view to availing himself of the crannies between them, but that would be a bad arrangement, as will be understood from
the foregoing considerations.
of the
There is no need to outline the back margin bank with rocks. The soil there may
l68
GARDEN PLANNING
may
be laid
way
On
the
along the margin of the rock structure are not out of place, suggesting, as they do, an old
water-course, and serving to retain
soil
washed
for
down from
Planting
It
when
The mode
of conis
ample depth of
The
in
smaller
vivum will thrive when rooted and some on the porous surface
itself,
as witness the
A
the
to
the
rockwork and
169
They
meet.
Plants of trailing habit should be put near the top of a miniature precipice, over which
they
will
hang
and
in
due
course paint
its
for
Give each plant elbow-room to allow growth and expansion, but plant fully, so
that
when
be
little
bare
Chinks
in the vertical
they
soil
will
life, if
care be taken
well in
ram the
Ferns
shady corners.
choice of plants
is
The
it is
at first to the
will find
At the back
of
all,
on the topmost
tall
may
be associated with
perennials like
lyO
GARDEN PLANNING
and it may thus be necessary to confine the rockwork to a single bank against the boundary wall or fence. In that event it is well to clothe the artificial background with
ivy or other creepers.
abruptly.
better to let
it
on the
level
beyond
we
should
find in nature.
Many
on the
alpine
level,
plants
if
they
are protected from the encroachment of coarser Thus these outlying rock pieces plants.
may
rocky
etia, or
limits, will
colour.
The appearance
foliage,
is
of a labelled rock
garden
have put
forward
their
depressing,
and
Wall Gardens
Nature
has shown us
how
mth
her treasures,
I7I
and the plants thus naturally established often display a charming habit in adapting themselves Who has not seen a to their artificial home.
ruined wall topped with pinks, or with snap-
To
imitate this
is
not
difficult,
but we require the right kind of wall; not the new, neatly pointed red brick affair, but a
thing of cracks, crevices, and crannies, such as
we
find enclosing some old country garden. Given this, the rest is easy. We have only to rub some fine soil into the chinks and to sow the seed of such plants as we desire, covering them
up with soil to prevent the birds abstracting them, and in due course we shall have our
colony of alpines.
If
no wall
in
exists,
and
as
doing so
then we must build one, we may make provision for The wall life as we please.
rubble, rough stone, or
Of these, perhaps the best are the last three, though with bricks, unless ample spaces are left between them, there would be difficulty in finding sufficient lodgment for Stone and rubble, using irregular the plants.
172
GARDEN PLANNING
There should and crevices of various sizes. be no pointing, and only so much mortar used Large as is necessary to secure stability. spaces may be filled with the compost recom-
may
be
filled
with
soil
CHAPTER
XII
nothing to be
freely
and
Just why it became the practice In days gone by to give the roses a department to
not clear, though there seems some Idea that the rose standard did not harmonize with plants of bushy habit. In the present day no such consideration prevails, and gardeners do not hesitate to admit
themselves
is
to have been
We
is
many
roses,
and there
place.
walls
and
prolific
climbers.
In the
174
GARDEN PLANNING
foliage.
On
the
come note
effect.
of colour,
and
in
Even
as hedges, roses
and
beams of
make
I
glorious masses of flower and foliage. have written enough to show that the rose has no claim to be kept in a place by itself, yet this does not imply that the rose garden
is
exists.
Indeed, there
is
something extremely
It
a practical token of
homage
to the queen
rose,
of flowers,
and
it
before
place
all
by
itself
effect.
variety in form,
colour,
and sunny
we cannot
I
it
out formally.
its
am no
severest
is
I75
details, as I
have
mally
in the planting
and
accessories.
can-
them anyhow.
We know
little
of
They
shall
most
artificial of
all flowers.
We
much
to be said
In evolving a design
points
now
to be mentioned.
tween their component beds In the way I have advised for groups of flower beds generally.
The
space,
Illustration
(Fig.
46)
shows
typical
rose gardens as I
and
It
176
GARDEN PLANNING
'Ml
77
the
may
be
lines
with
The
is
The
may
upon
a skele-
ton fence.
It
is
section
vase.
is
When
may
be separated by gravel,
In the
I
accompanybe made
have no quarrel
it
may
box edgings.
ful
One
loses,
no reason why the rose garden should take a shape having equal dimensions both ways. It may be long and narrow, and I am not There
178
GARDEN PLANNING
is
when space
is
restricted.
can be better
tedious
As
a walk, too,
it is less
to traverse.
n^ uM .iiiii
i i
in
111
1. 1
n hh
..
i
ii j
iii
^UI
Fig. 48.
soil,
and
be
therefore
rose
beds
and
borders
first
should
stance,
in-
and treated
is
with manure.
The
will
common
for roses
soil is essential
They
thrive in almost
any
In light
the manure
we
give
soil,
them
is
not retained
so long as in
less culture,
heavy
they
the
may
suffer starvation.
this reason,
if
soil is
well to
79
it tenacity and manuring to use cow manure. If the garden is made upon turf, then dig in the sods, and add any other decaying vegetable matter you may have available. On heavy land it may be necessary to drain the rose bed. This may be done by throwing
retentive quality,
and
out the
filling
soil to
up with
soil.
In such ease
it
is
well
above that
of the
Thorough preparation
rose
bed
is
the surest
guarantee of future
success.
November, though
the winter be open.
it
may
be done later
The
of
carefully conducted.
Holes ^should
be
dug
ample
size,
shaped to
facilitate
These should be separated and distributed Fine radially over the bottom of the hole.
soil
up and down
i8o
to allow
it
GARDEN PLANNING
to penetrate
soil
among them.
The
remainder of the
firmly
may
left
rammed down.
It should not
slightly
It
be heaped
depressed
so as to facilitate watering.
would appear
little
that there
is
to be
equally favourable to
the plant.
Be that
is
as
it
may, there
the
foot
of
the
hole
49.-Piantig a rose
enabling
it
the better
If
no
advisable to give
ing of
some water about a week after, and a mulchmanure may then be put around each
plant to afford protection from frost.
less
than
l8l'
and a
I
half to
two
feet.
It is
question whether
The
ally pointing
no raison
single
d'etre.
though
the
latter
arrangement
it is
may sometimes
The
is
be desirable when
intended
to
roses of the
On
be
the other
hand, with a
or
less
harmonizing
may
associated
together in the
same bed or
is
border.
The
so great
and so har-
monious that one can hardly make a mistake, in associating the magenta-
hue.
of
The
by
with
whites
and yellows.
The
presence
of
too large a
l82
GARDEN PLANNING
is
proportion of whites
to be
in
condemned, as
they
tell
more strongly
roses,
coloured varieties.
China
foliage,
and
brilliant
should not be
in
overlooked.
beds by
interested
CHAPTER
Water
in
XIII
the Garden
of water in
the landscape
may
Yet
garden of limited
should be recog-
natural surroundings
is
practically unrealizable.
At
may be such
This applies
a feature.
bounded by a natural stream or through which such a stream passes. When the water has to be derived from the domestic supply and contained in artificial ponds it is a different matter. But even then
particularly to gardens
it
may
the
gardener
with
simple
arrangements.
Any
may
arise
184
interest in
GARDEN PLANNING
luxuriant water growth and the blooms we get from such purely aquatic plants as water-lilies and lotus. It may, however, be stated at the outset that the making of a water garden is a simple
delightful
matter compared with its efficient maintenance. No gardener should lightly embark upon the task unless he is prepared to give unremitting
attention to
artificial
his
homes.
ing of water
and cleansing of ponds. town and suburban gardens organic matter, dead leaves, and other undesirable things are wafted by the wind or fall upon the water surface, where they remain to decay
In
and
defile
the water.
is
When
a running stream
less
available, these
drawbacks operate
I
prejudicially,
though
garden
bounded by a stream at its far end. We may assume that the water is pure enough for our
purpose.
The
probability
is
would have no rights over the water, but also that no objection would exist to his diverting some of it through his garden. In such an
WATER
IN
THE GARDEN
85
event he might excavate a backwater, say with an extension in the form of a bay, as shown
in the illustration
(Fig. 50).
means he would obtain a piece of running water (A), and a piece (B) more or
this
less
By
stagnant,
but
not so stagnant as to
require
any
special
The
island
C
for
would be useful
treatment with
bold
plants,
waterside
and the marthe
of
gins
backFig. 50.
water
water garden
sturdy growth.
Clear spaces
should be
small
may
be
pond B and in the backwater, with which might be associated our common native pond lily. Other plants may be added If
established In the
86
GARDEN PLANNING
space permits, including such interesting subjects as the pickerel weed, the flowering rush,
and water buttercup. Typha and swamp mallow might be planted along the fence line
at B.
Irises will thrive at
as well
as
trollius, spirea,
little
trouble in the
kind could
interest.
When all
it
would only remain to keep the entrances clear and to remove all rubbish which might find
access to the water.
No
deciduous trees or
fouling the
soil is
water-
logged
edge, and
WATER
IN
THE GARDEN
the
87
a
When
rather
stream intersects
effort
is
garden,
more ambitious
possible.
The
this like
lily
to considerably
may
pond
which a
made
of
in
that
part
the
and
curing a water
culation.
the near side.
Bays
Combe
a or
if
Fg-
should be formed on
munication across
the stream
may
of
by
means
simple
bridge,
stepping-stones
the
water
the
shallow.
resist
temptation
be a plain
befits
its
affair,
well
as
purpose,
with
What
has
been written
88
GARDEN PLANNING
The
to
now
refer to a
which
is
frankly
artificial
and depends
for its
may
call
cir-
The
first
and
in that
we
levels in
much
the better;
it
will help us
water, as must
to
in healthy condition.
The waste
WATER
series of
IN
THE GARDEN
for,
89
and when
convenient
way
is
to carry
'
it
into a gully in
'^- '^H ^:
'^^i'-^ ^i''^'
Fig. 52.
Soak-away
drain
When
best
the slope
is is
expedient
to
make
"soak-away"
(Fig.
52).
filled
is
drain, as
shown
This
is
and
190
Fig.
GARDEN PLANNING
53
by way
are
of description.
If
rock
or
rubble
sides
used,
as
in
D, they
floor
must be
make
The
may
con-
with cement.
The
surface should
level,
Fig- S3-
Ponds
WATER
wood
like
IN
THE GARDEN
Fresh
I9I
that
illustrated.
cement
a third part of sharp sand. Pipes for inlets and outlets should be inserted
when
If
a single pond
the drain.
installed
it
will
only be necesits
bottom to
unstopping in case
suitable
of
Is
obstruction.
The
not
most
less
piping
internal diameter
A
and
plug must be
this
may be
bore of
fitted to the
When two
system,
the
or
one
the
ponds stand
at the
same
level,
connecting pipes
may
bottom, but
if
be the case on sloping ground, the overflow from each pond to the next lower one of the
series
must be placed
192
GARDEN PLANNING
This point
is
pond.
made
filling
grams
and B.
The
up and renewal
of the water
may
Although
culating
described,
constant movequite
in
ment
sary.
of
water,
which
will
is
unnecesly
perfectly
Water-lilies
thrive
months,
pleasant
but
to
in
it
is
neither
nor
to
allow
the
remain
off
the
ponds
of
Hence the
running
fresh.
usefulness
the foul
When
should
fill
mark the
water-level,
and allow them to stand for a week, noting whether there is any leakage, which would
show
If all
itself
is
by a drop
in
satisfactory,
the
water
be
may
ready
be
for
run
off
will
planting.
The end
May
is
WATER
the
IN
THE GARDEN
I93
The
soil
may
be
2 parts
I
i
. .
. .
Loam
Leaf-mould
Road
If the
it
scrapings
first
may be
tile
pond floor, be heaped to the water-level height at the points where the plants are to be placed. The water may then be admitted and
allowed
to
to
stand
for
couple
of
of
days
in
assume the
temperature
the atmosinserted
phere.
their
The
down
plants
may
then be
this
mounds, which by
settled
level.
considerably below
off
and renewed at
if
it
Twice
194
GARDEN PLANNING
The
in
introduction of animal
life
is
useful
restraining
Goldfish will do well even under somewhat unfavourable conditions of stagnation, and are equally useful for the
water-snails particularly.
purpose.
The
matter-of-fact gardener
all this
may
question
whether
think
it is.
in
flower
in
own garden
sufficiently
interesting
some small
flower-lover will
lection of miniature
in
may be
best
plan
is
to
excavate a
deep hole, say twice the depth of the tub, fill the bottom with rubble, so.that when
is
the tub
bedded upon
it
WATER
IN
THE GARDEN
I95
centre-
must be made
fitted
tub and
a
good
hand-hold.
piece
of
perforated
its
under
and choking the drainage material below. These expedients, simple enough to put into
practice, are all that
for
is
necessary to provide
Fig. 54.
Tub
for
water plants'
is
the
only objection
best way to mask it is to pack some boggy around and between the tubs, and to grow
in
it
if
suitably
196
GARDEN PLANNING
hide
light
unduly excluding
should be used.
and
air
If possible rain-water
The
nympheas
water.
When introducing fresh water it should be run in slowly if it is sensibly colder than the atmosphere, otherwise the plants may be chilled
and checked
It in
is
in their
growth.
from a hose, the waste plug being loosened water to escape slowly at the same time. Besides the nympheas there
to permit the foul
are
many
other interesting
plants
if
not as conspicu-
ously beautiful
in
that
may
be
grown
already
The
calla has
in
been mentioned, and is perhaps best kept the water garden. The lotus has a rich
tropical effect,
and
is
tainer as
its
into
head
is
Typha
yellow
easily
the native
will thrive
flag,
in shallow
soil.
CHAPTER XIV
The Vegetable Garden The owner
of
a small plot,
who
loves his
vegetables
alone.
In
is
town
and
suburban
gardens
think he
atmospheric conditions
of cleanliness
may
them
not be favourable
which
fits
for food.
commensurate with the trouble involved, when you can buy good vegetables cheaply. I would say nothing to deter the enthusiast from taking up vegetable culture if his tastes
are
lie
in that direction.
It
is
as interesting to
as a chrysan-
198
GARDEN PLANNING
vegetable garden
may
The
and usefulness.
the
general
reader
who
has studied
that
that
may
between them. Generally this path starts from the house and terminates somewhere at the remote end of the garden. If the vegetable ground Is to occupy its usual place at
the end of the plot, the main path
tinue
into
may
the
con-
and through
it.
On
other
Fig. 55.
Borders
hand.
It
may be more
convenient to approach
I99
of a device to
which
have already
on both
sides of the
way shown
the illustration.
The
result
is
same time, to
more
or
less,
It
is
amount
must be allowed
for
in fixing the
To complete the scheme it only remains to add a transverse hedge or other barrier at the near end of the vegetable plot and the thing is done. These supplementary borders, if
preferred,
may
and some part for raising seedlings, striking cuttings, and other utilitarian purposes. I have in mind a charming suburban garden
for cutting,
by
espaliers,
is
not the
But there
dener
many
may
200
bring
it
GARDEN PLANNING
into
as a
whole.
made
it
provides
bold,
The
handsome
foliage
of
the
rhubarb,
and the
good to look upon, and did they not contribute to our table they would assuredly be grown
for
their
beauty alone.
in
And what
is
more
?
may make
them
careful
taken
to the
be in opposition
common-sense
principles of vegetable
culture.
which are always useful in the garden picture. The abundant blossom of his cherry, apple,
and plum
year
trees
is
when
when
the borders
20I
have scarcely awakened from their winter What is more beautiful than a spray sleep.
of
rose-flecked
apple
blossom
arching
the
And
trees
ruddy spheres amidst the darkening foliage? if the flower garden is to invade the
vegetable plot,
why
Fruit
upon the
grass plot
have just
as
much
much
for flower-
Even the boundary hedge between flower and vegetable plot may be made of espaliers,
or such easily trained fruit bushes as loganberry, wine-berry,
and blackberry.
no
diffi-
The gardener
culty
in
is
putting
these
hints
into
practice.
There
The
associa-
tion of flowers
and vegetables
in the kitchen
garden was
common
of a century ago;
202
GARDEN PLANNING
itself,
and
it
monizing the two main departments of the garden, I would advance the plea for neatness,
order,
and picturesque
effect in the
kitchen
by-
garden.
The
soil
should be constrained
edgings to keep
it off
purpose there
is
on edge.
make
and elsewhere the other herbs may help to outline the garden divisions and give finish to the beds; at the same time all will be conveniently accessible.
of the
It
is
good
as
practice
subdivide
the
plots
into
narrow paths between, Such beds may have dimensions determined by the space available
separate
beds
in
with
shown
Fig.
55.
as regards the
2O3
under consideration, a width most cases would be a good dimension to adopt, the length of the bed running transversely and being determined by the width of the ground from path to
of twelve feet in
boundary fence. The transverse paths need not be more than eighteen inches wide, and may be of cinder, if no better material is available. The object is to give easy access to the bed and to permit the use of the barrow without having to run it over loose soil, and thus to lighten
labour.
At the same
appearance, giving
and
facili-
A
and
space
off,
should
for
be
reserved,
preferably
screened
for
the storage of manure, flower-pots, and other accessories which careless gardeners are too prone to leave about in odd
stakes,
places.
The box edgings one finds in old gardens "as prim and square-cut as a Puritan pastor" are charming to look at, but they are
204
GARDEN PLANNING
205
am
would not put up with the havoc of these marauders to enjoy the solid green outlines and the air of old-world methods these edgings suggest.
garden
with
is
the
flower
ground.
When
its
wide in relation to
length,
may
be convenient to reserve
treatment
may
made
sufficiently clear
no objection to cutting
the
flower
compara-
In
selecting
it
affects
206
GARDEN PLANNING
In
With a north or south aspect the point able. would not arise.
In gardens of
irregular
shape
it
is
some-
off a triangular or
awkplot,
rest.
wardly shaped piece for the vegetable form to the thereby giving better
Examples
of this
mode
of treatment will be
gardener must follow the directions already given for trenching and manuring.
If
the garden
is
of
any considerable
It
size
also as a
potting-shed,
is
a great convenience.
may
be a very simple structure; but it is well not to disfigure it with corrugated iron or other unsightly material. A thatched roof of straw
or reeds would convert
it
no reason why
it
CHAPTER XV
Glass
At the
minds of those enthusiasts who adore their little glass houses, I must say that I cannot
reconcile
beautiful.
the
greenhouse
with
the
garden
My
which
alone
condemns
so
its
but
that
we can
Not
rigid,
spidery lines
and glinting glass panes. Yet I admit its utility, and I can realize the pleasures that come to the man who carefully tends its crowd
of occupants.
itself.
My
quarrel
is
If I
know
that
it is
March
to
Novem-
208
GARDEN PLANNING
the other hand,
in
if
On
to
chrysanthemums, or some other flower or flowers for which a greenhouse is a necessity, I would concede the point, respecialize
garding
it
as a
compromise; but
should not
garden picture.
would therefore ask the would-be gardener to consider whether he really wants a greenhouse, and if he decides in the affirmative, I would tender him such advice as the following:
1.
If possible
i.e., if
the aspect
is
suitable
ture,
2.
will
lose
struc-
If
unrealizable, place
will
it
be possible to screen
Select a simple
or wall.
and put it against a boundary fence These patterns are infinitely pref-
GLASS
209
4. Paint the outside woodwork a pleasant shade of green, not grass colour nor eau-de-nil,
but something
in
between.
By
may
succeed
out of
The
gardeners
who
the
to
crime
the
they
commit.
They
are
blinded
inconsistencies
itself,
by the glpry
of the structure
and think not of it as For the same reason they give it a place of honour in the centre of the garden's width, and contrive that all roads
an element in the picture.
shall lead to
it.
is
another matter.
on
its
airs.
place
If,
in spite of
some part of his capital then let him beware of the cheap,
invest
"glass,"
jerry-built,
stock
houses which
are
occasionally
are not
offered
all
to a confiding public.
They
bad,
but they
all
on
paper, and the inexperienced buyer is tempted to buy the largest he can get for the
2IO
GARDEN PLANNING
is
sum he
a given size.
and is an framed of wood of small scantling, or of unsound quality, the decay comes sooner and proceeds more rapidly. Joints give and parts warp out of
structure,
glass,
is
but a skeleton
If
"and then the deluge" in a literal Once a house becomes leaky it is almost hopeless to attempt to make it sound again.
shape,
sense.
do duty only
is
for a
few
seasons.
The
buy.
is
generally applied
advantage over an
unwarmed detached greenhouse of borrowing warmth from the house in winter, and is useful
fully kept
from frost. If tasteand of sufficient size, it forms an exOne not cellent approach to the garden. infrequently finds one on the north side of
for protecting pot plants
GLASS
the house, where
it
211
gets no sun,
and
Is,
therefore,
ornamental
finlals,
and
col-
They hope by
or let the house.
will
these at-
The man
structure
however,
prefer the
with clear
tracting
glass.
know
of
casting contrasting
of
and
foliage.
If for
purposes of privacy
Is
Is
Leaded
glass
Is
In
tint
Is
a pale green
not objectionable.
the
The conwater
heating system
it is
is
essential,
and
in this con-
nection
by the expert
Much
benefit will be had from a perusal of the book "Gardening Under Glass."
CHAPTER XVI
Fences and Hedges
I
insistently
Whichever way we turn the vista is by a wall or fence, and whatever expedients weadoptto render these artificialfrontiers whether by growing greenery inconspicuous over them or trees and shrubs against them we cannot entirely keep them out of sight. I have shown, however, that by adopting a rectilinear treatment they can be made to harmonize with the garden lines. But that will not
selves.
closed
much if the fence itself is an eyesore. The suburban gardener very often has to take things as he finds them, but he who builds his house has the matter in his own hands,
help us
and
for
his
guidance, therefore,
may
offer
some suggestions on the subject of fencing. I must make a passing reference to walls. All walls are much alike, but it is worth while to
213
make
ing vines
upon
it
when
it
suflfi-
appearance
are
two
consider-
and
durability.
The
Of the woods
of its long
life
available,
oak
is
unquestion-
under
its
all
conditions of weather,
It
should
charm
of colour will be
Who
how admirably
harmonized with the natural growth at its foot? I know of nothing which better accords with flower and foliage than the weathered surface of an old oak fence.
are cleft, so as to
If
the pales
show the natural figure of the wood, the efi"ect will be better and the life Under ordinary circumof the fence longer.
stances a height of five feet
is
suflicient,
but
intruders
less
height
may
be
desirable,
214
GARDEN PLANNING
215
there
is
an attractive landscape
of
beyond.
The
character
the
immediate
environment should determine both the height of the fence and its design, which may be open
or closed, or a combination of both.
The
elaborate fencework
likely to
usurp attention
The
breaking the
a good one.
The
The "windowed"
of the park fence,
pattern
is
an adaptation
heads to
top
rail.
by the addition of raised the posts and a more substantial The latter should be "weathered"
is
The
just
2l6
GARDEN PLANNING
Oak
ground.
The
preparation of Stockholm
oil
paint.
is
If oil paint
important.
It
is
which harmonizes
well
best
for a
permanent
wished
when
It is
mark
217
coming to maturity.
At the
points where
make
it
taut.
The intermediate
maining upright.
posts
may
be
lighter,
but
re-
their
Barbed wire is an invention of the enemy and should never be admitted into the garden.
Fig. 58.
Stretching
wire fencing
The ordinary
(No. 8 gauge)
It
may
be
by the
2l8
GARDEN PLANNING
it
through holes
made with
a knot
in
a carpenter's
This should
be
done
stretching
Fig. 59-
Open
wooden fencing
tackle,
but
if
shown.
When
the wire
is
taut, the
end should be
219
knocked up with a hammer close to the hole and turned two or three times round a stout
nail.
out of
is
Kinks and bends in the wire may be rubbed it with the hammer handle whilst it
under tension, before the
final tightening.
good types of open fence are shown in the next illustration, and they call for no
special
Two
description.
In
the
all-rail
pattern
made
Temporary
fences
may
be made of rough
unbarked cedar or other timber that may be readily and cheaply procurable. The lattice
or "rustic" fence
is
short-lived,
and
in long
lengths
Its
its
diagonal
is
pattern
is
monotonous.
appearance
better type
and top
rails
of the
same halved.
Ordinary
the
may
as their "rusting-in"
better.
all
220
GARDEN PLANNING
by using
the posts.
The
Fig. 60.
Larch
fencing
T pieces being
at each end
of
the stretch.
The spacing
depend upon the design and character of the fence and the length of timber purchased for the rails, but ten feet is the maximum advisable,
and less is better. Of iron fencing there are patterns for purposes, and I need not speak of them.
Trellis
all
tion,
Ready-made trellis is so make it at home when the ordinary diamond pattern is wanted.
use
may
be useful.
it
cheap that
221
a well-framed
is
very
trellis itself.
The
by allowing them to butt against the centre of the frame, securing them by fillets nailed
thereto.
The
top
is
practice of leaving a
slovenly,
decay of the
colour,
trellis.
should be
oil
worked
into the
angles at the
Fig. 6r.
Construction
is
of trellis screen
crossings, for
its
it
way
in
and
222
GARDEN PLANNING
to be so
it
is
comit
mon
without
used
much
treUis
and horizontal.
If
the gardener
is
handy with
his tools,
and
may
try his
hand on "woven trellis," using cleft oak laths and working on the plan illustrated in Fig. 57. He must design his squares of sufficient size
to admit of bending the laths without difficulty,
and he should pin them at their crossings with oak pegs. A trellis of this kind will not require to be painted, and it has a character of its own which raises it far above the machine-
made
I
article.
may
the
be omitted
and the
laths joined
up
in
Hedges
We
may
consider hedges as
serve to
liv-
ing fences.
mark
the
garden picture.
know
of
no better back-
ground
for a
223
available.
ning.
growth beyond the width to which we intend to train the hedge, because we cannot trim at frequent intervals. Also something additional should be allowed to keep the flowers
As wind-screens hedges
through, and
in use nothing
it
is
When
grows rapidly.
Moreover,
soil,
it
and
is
happy
Thorn
ing to
is
of less
rapid
a thoroughly
its
business-like
spines, cattle
it.
break through
first
If
well
trained
full
so as to
and
close,
224
it will
GARDEN PLANNING
exclude even the "harmless
(?),
neces-
sary cat."
arbor-vitse
The
hardy orange {Citrus trifoliata) makes a dense, impenetrable hedge and is evergreen in the
South but sheds
its
There
is
no reason
why we
the
should not
make
Lilac,
hedges of
many
of
beautiful
flowering
diervilla,
sweet-
brier,
althea,
all
suitable
and
attracsoils in
tive subjects,
and
in the light,
warm
fuchsia and hydrangea may be added to the list. I see no objection to a mixed hedge, in which several of the above subjects
the South
are
associated
together.
esque possibilities in
worth exploiting.
Sweetbrier
makes
its
unsuited to town
and
atmos-
phere.
225
and manured and the plants The spacing will vary with the subject, and the nurseryman will always advise on this point. The training of a hedge
carefully lined up.
involves
periodical
first
trim-
ming.
In the
instance
this should
be directed to
encouraging
the lower
never
be an and might develop into an eyesore, ^'s- 62. Sections of hedge The best method is to trim to a wedge shape, tapering from bottom to top on both sides equally, and to leave the top quite sharp. The width at bottom, for a hedge which is
efficient barrier,
hedge can
feet.
The
tops of the
When
the bottom
is
well
in
obtained the
maximum height, or have sprung above it, the top may be cut to a uniform height, and dressed flat as in Fig. 62 B, or rounded
226
if
GARDEN PLANNING
Subsequently the sides
preferred.
may
be
trimmed
break
vertically.
it
is
desirable to
top
line
plants at intervals
Fig. 63.
Hedge
tops
level,
as
trimming them into some definite form, shown in the illustration below. Gaps in the hedge, to accommodate throughpaths, may be bridged over by training the
adjacent plants into an arch, for which a tem-
hedge makes considerable demands on the soil, and he must therefore not expect that flowers will thrive in close proximity to it, wherefore he should allow sufficient width
in all borders
which
Box Edgings
These
The
227
may
will
man, who
The
or
best
dwarf form
is
Buxus sempervirens
be planted in April
tri-
var. suffruticosa.
It should
May.
in
left
forearm holds
to
grow
and the
care so as
to
preserve
the
it Y\g. 64.
Planting
edging
box
straight
or
for
curved.
The
is
best
time
cHppIng
first
at
the
end
of
May
or during the
week
in June.
The best shape in cross-section is squaretopped with battered or vertical sides, though If it pleases the eye of the gardener the top
angles
may
be rounded.
Ivy Edgings
228
GARDEN PLANNING
and
in
of restricted size,
are
North
as
excellent effects
is
may
be obtained with
ivy.
It
which
in
time they will cover with abundant growth. An annual clipping in April or May will soon
produce a neat
Other Edgings
for edgings,
effect.
in use
such as the ground myrtle, euonymus, and pachysandra, etc., but as they present;
no special difficulty in management, and have no special features to commend them, I need only refer to them by name, as a reminder to
the gardener
who
is
thing different.
The Verge
This
To
not
it
not
commend
itself
to the
gardener of limited
leisure.
CHAPTER XVII
Tile
These nave
When
turf
and
tutes
soil
come
into juxta-
The
case
is
different
qualities
where which
soil
The
good
resis-
should
weather
influence
and
it
accidental
to be laid
good curve
Edgings
if
These
special
may
be just plain
tiles
roofing tiles,
or
edging
with a
"fancy" margin, of which many patterns, good, bad, and indifi'erent, are offered for sale. Of the former I have little to say beyond pointing out that they are usually too thin to resist
229
230
GARDEN PLANNING
frost.
made
of the following
materials:
Porous brickware
(red).
Hard
brickware
(red).
Stoneware (brown).
Blue brickware (slaty blue).
is undesirable on account of its and liability to fracture by frost, and the last on account of its unpleasant colour, though it has the advantage of toughness and Between the other two materials strength. there is little to choose. Both are durable and unobjectionable in colour, and the gardener
The
first
brittleness
may
If price is
ware the
least expensive,
though prices
may
vary according to
Fig.
a
ing
tile
district.
it
When
spect,
and he had
tile
65. Edg-
In
is
my
opinion the
it
is
edging
not a
feature
desirable
to
emphasize
with
ARTIFICIAL EDGINGS
decoration.
offensive.
23
is
The plain
is
scallop edge
the least
Even that
will
show
off
by
is
the so-called
is
the obof
a
it
barefaced
imitation
something which
Moreover, these
tile is
tiles
when
laid in curves.
some-
greater
substance,
The
commend:
builder's red
common
is
Laid
top sur-
becomes the margin of the path and at the same time an efficient
barrier to the soil of the border.
Used
in this
232
GARDEN PLANNING
it
way
may
Otherwise
it
may
its
using
to
in
Another and less it in the form of a concealed edging the way shown at C. This makes a very neat
it.
employ
Fig. 66.
Brick
edgings
When
and unobtrusive edging, not easily damaged. carried round curves it should it is
line,
using half-bricks.
precludes the
wire-cut or pressed.
Moulded
bricks
ARTIFICIAL EDGINGS
233
side,
There
if
is,
It
is
the "plinth"
It has
one of
its
edges
bevelled, as
illustration,
quite
an ideal edging.
averages about
Fig.
Its price
plinth
brkk
fifteen
dollars
thouit
^'^^'"^
than the
common
tile.
brick,
but
still
cheaper than
the edging
Stone Edgings
plentiful
In
districts
where stone
is
may
be used as an
It
advantage of being
may
also be
worked
it
in
any section
desired, or
we may
use
roughly dressed.
The
illustration
on page
234 indicates some simple and suitable sections. Sometimes the gardener is in a position to buy cheaply old stone paving, which may be
adapted as an edging with good
effect.
and
in
234
districts
GARDEN PLANNING
where
it is
cheap,
it is
if
used in pieces at
efficient;
least
durable and
but
its
mend
it
quite admirable.
Fig. 68.
Stone edgings
(sections)
edging
is
the
of appearance
It
leaves
little
to be desired.
flints
should
be large ones.
districts of
The
practice
flint
common
in
some
whitening
too
that account I
to be raised above
may
be built up
There is no special virtue in the flint, apart from its abundance and ubiquity. In districts where other natural stone is common it may be used in rough pieces in the same way as flints,
with equally good
effect.
ARTIFICIAL EDGINGS
235
artificial
Wood Edgings
edging that
The
last
is
form of
I shall
notice
temporary expedient
when we wish to make our gravel paths before we lay the permanent edging, and it is sometimes used in kitchen gardens.
is
Its
appearance
soil is
it
Unprepared wood
than two seasons.
it
is
If
soted.
nail
The best way to secure wood edgings is to them to stout square pegs driven firmly
soil.
into the
In putting
down
necessary to form
CHAPTER
XVIII
Garden Plans
In the following examples of small suburban plot gardens, mostly consisting of plans actually executed, I have applied the principles
set forth in the foregoing pages.
is
Each plan
drawn to
such
general
scale,
and
accompanied by a
I
scale of feet,
have included
only
-the
details as are
needed to indicate
scheme of the garden. These be closely followed whenever the conditions are the same as shown in the
examples
plans.
may
It
many
possible
arrangements,
sonal taste
all
and
may
be allowed
Considera-
tions of
economy may
gardener
My
primary
236
GARDEN PLANS
object in presenting these plans
is
237
to elucidate
so
they should prove of use in individual cases, much the better. It should be noted that
is
each plan
that
it will
made
and
greatly differing
marked.
But, given
would serve for plots of similar proportions and dimensions, and with care to preserve due scale between de-
same
Thus
by lengthening the
associated borders,
and
its
and leaving the features at such end the same as shown on the plan. In all these examples the following points have been observed: 1. Grass is confined to compact areas, with means of access to them at more than one point. 2. Trees are placed so as not to cast shadows on the borders.
3.
4.
is
in
shade
or partial shade.
238
5.
GARDEN PLANNING
Symmetry
is
in
plan
6.
ignored.
is
Path space
is
reduced to a minimum, so
far as
esque
7.
effect.
When
grass
space
is
divided,
the two
9.
No
curves or angles
other than
right
may
serve
some useful
indications in
the plans:
Full black
House
Paths, drives,
Arches, thus
Pergolas, thus
Glass, thus
GARDEN PLANS
239
Fig. 69. Size, 26 feet by 20 feet. The path at its near end Aspect, SE. communicates with the kitchen yard, and at its far end terminates at an arbour. The space at the angle ot the path might carry a tub or sundial. The north-west boundary fence might be raised with trellis to give increased surface
for
Fig. 70. Size, 42 feet by 20 feet. Aspect, nearly due E. The path terminates at a summer house and gives access to a small yard, in which a toolshed is shown.
Note: In
this
hand diagram;
and succeeding plans, the upper caption pertains to the leftthe lower caption to the right-hand diagram.
240
GARDEN PLANNING
Size, 45 feet 6 inches by 20 Aspect, N. The back entrance screened by the summer house, and the yard offers accommodation for garden requisites, and contains a small tool-shed. The e.xpansion in the path might, carry a vase or tub.
Fie- ?!
is
feet.
gate
Fig. 72.-
g2 feet.
ofi
by a
GARDEN PLANS
241
spaM is given to vegetable ground, a glass house being placed The eastern border continues through the kitchen plot.
Fig.
73.
Aspect, E. Thewhole of this plot is laid Fig. 74- Size, s8 feet by 20 feet. against the fence is shady, and out ts flower ground. The southern border should be planted with shade-loving subjects.
242
GARDEN PLANNING
Fig. 75- , Size, 64 feet by 22 feet. Aspect, N. This aspect admits of flower display close to the house-back. A sundial is shown in the gravel space facing the back entrance, and a flower vase in the square expansion of the path. The small detached grass area might be planted with trees to make a shady corner, and bulbs might be planted in the grass.
.
Fig. 76. Size, 67 feet by 25 feet. Aspect, NW. plot Is screened off for use as vegetable ground,
through
it.
GARDEN PLANS
243
Fig. 77.- Size, 87 feet by 30 feet. Aspect, NNE. A feature is made of a formal group of beds facing the summer house, a sundial occupying the centre of the group. The path terminates in an alpine garden, which communicates by steps with a detached grass space, planted for shade. The dividing hedge gives a sense of enclosure to the formal garden, and privacy to th space beyond.
trees,
Fig. 78. Aspect, SW. The summer house, Size, 116 feet by 40 feet. and shrubs screen the diagonal piece of fence. The end space is devoted to a sunken alpine garden. A low rubble wall retains the borders to north and south-west. A raised circular bed occupies the centre. The roofed space at the house-back is a veranda, from which a pleasant vista down the plot if
obtained.
244^
GARDEN PLANNING
Fig.
79-
NE.
THis
Size, 60 feet by 26 feet, expanding at end to 44 feet. Aspect, is not an uncommon shape for suburban plots, and it lends itself end coming as a surprise.
246
GARDEN PLANNING
Size, 68 feet 6 inches by 29 feet, average. Fig. 81. details are sufficiently indicated in the plan.
Aspect,
SW. The
GARDEN PLANS
247
Fig. 82. Size, 146 feet by 49 feet, average. Aspect, SE." A yard witli outbuildings separates the flower garden into two almost equal spaces. The front grass area might be reserved for croquet. A small vegetable ground occupies the extreme end of the plot.
248
GARDEN PLANNING
feet,
average.
Aspect,
NW.
curved
The
explain themselves.
GARDEN PLANS
249
Fig.| 84. ,Size, 113 feet by 36 feet, average. In this case Aspect, SW. the garden boundaries are of unusual shape, but they do not preclude a good arrangement in fact, this may be made a picturesque and interesting garden <f the suggestion contained in the plan be carried out.
250
Fig. 85.; Aspect, E. A simple rectangular pl< Size, 156 feet by 60 feet. with detached house, built on orchard ground. Fruit trees were retained in the positions shown, and made an interesting feature. In this and other examples it should be noted that a trellis screen is introduced to give privacy t0
GARDEN PLANS
251
Fig. 86. Size, 95 feet byyo feet, average. plot devcfted entirely to flower garden.
Aspect, E.
slightly diverging
252
GARDEN PLANNING
Fig. 87. .Size, 129 feet by O4 feet. Aspect, E. A comer plot with separate entrance to the kitchen quarters. In this case the house is placed as far as possible from both thoroughfares. The features include a summer house, a sundial, rock garden, pergola, and group of rose beds.
GARDEN PLANS
253
Fig. 88. Size, 94.feet by 78 feet, averiige. Aspect, W. The house is set parallel with north and west fence lines. The slope to the north-east necesThe terrace wall at its highest part sitates terracing on two sides of the house. Fruit trees are planted in is concealed by the rockwork of the alpine garden.
interesting garden.
254
GARDEN PLANNING
Size, 116 feet by 87 feet. Aspect, nearly W. Fig. 89. The enclosed formal garden south of the house is an interesting feature as seen from the drawing room window. The circular bed and borders on the principal grass space are intended for roses. A dial is placed in the expansion of the path to the east. A kitchen garden is included.
GARDEN PLANS
Fig. 90. Size, 1 24 feet by 92 feet, average. Aspect, E. slightly converging plot, one half laid out as flower ground, the remainder as fruit and vegetable garden.
Note In none of the foregoing plans has any provision been made for a tennis tawn. In most cases the space is insufficient, without destroying the value of the garden as a picturesque flower ground. With plots of larger size the grass space might be utilized for tennis by keeping it free of trees.
:
Figs. 91
to 97 inclusive
show examples of
the
in
fore-courts
or gardens
situated between
some
cases being
256
GARDEN PLANNING
In
Fig. 91. Size, 20 feet by 19 feet. Aspect, S. This plan shows the simple treatment I advocate for a small fore-court. It provides ample flower space and is more effective when well planted than if the design were more complex.
Fig. 92. Size, 20 feet by 18 feet 6 inches. Aspect, W. groui) of flowering shrubs occupies a'central position on the grass. The position of the entrance gate permits of borders on either side of the path.
Fig. 93-
gravel
Fig.
makes
94.
E. An arts .Till arrangement which gives ample border space, and admits of a group of small beds on t the trass.
a:..
Size, 40 feet by 40 feet. Aspect, W. a pleasing and distinctive feature. Size, 19 feet by 30 feet. iia^jci-L, Aspect,
the
GARDEN PLANS
Size, SI feet by Fig. 9550 feet. Aspect, nearly W. A fore-court larger than the average, treated with no regard
to
symmetry.
Fig. 96. Size, 73 feet by 15 feet. Aspect, S. A not uncommon type of front garden, arranged so as to obtain variety in detail, and a screening effect for the sake of privacy.
258
GARDEN PLANNING
Fig. 97. Size, 59 feet by 32 feet. Aspect, S. A front garden of ample width, admitting of treatment for picturesque effect. With a good screen of trees or shrubs along the front boundary this garden would not be unduly overlooked. It should be noted that the side yard is masked by trees and the summer house by transverse borders. A sundial might be placed in thi central expansion of the path.
GARDEN PLANS
259
The
dens, planned
by the author,
will
give the
how
to treat
spaces
of
Fig. 98. A plot of about one acre. The house had been built before the garden was designed, and made to face due south. Thus it was necessary to work in contradiction to one of the rules laid do\TO in this book Fortunately, the circumstances permitted of obtaining a good result. The diagonally running broad walk constitutes quite a valuable feature. The separation of the kitchen garden into three separate plots was by the owner's wish, and for the purpose of making the lawn on the north side, whence a pleasant oudooK over an adjoining golf course was too-valudble to be sacriaceci or marred by a foreground of vegetables. The formal group of beds in tne south-west comer is a rose garden.
.
26o
GARDEN PLANNING
planning
has
followed
the general
The
though with a
by the circumstances, and with concessions to the expressed wishes of the owners, in some of the details.
certain latitude permitted
Fig. 99. This was a plot of irregular shape, through which ran an old hedgerow with several standing elm trees, three or four of which were preserved. The line of this hedgerow followed the sloping path between the steps to the east of it. Note the vista through the kitchen garden, with its background of fruit trees.
GARDEN PLANS
261
Fi, 100. In this example certain details of the garden were determined before tEe design was made, notably the enclosed space south of the house, which is cut off from the fore-court by the tradesmen's passage.
262
GARDEN PLANNING
Fig. loi. A town site, in which the owner wished to make a feature of the alpine garden, to which considerable space has been given. On the other hand, the space devoted to vegetables was to be small and out of sight. The basement areas precluded borders along the house walls. It being a comer site, it was necessary to screen the garden from passers-by along the east boundary. This was done by a substantial trellis in the position indicated on the plan.
CHAPTER XIX
Planting
The
is
for the
working gardener.
plants in the
soil in
of placing the
such a
way
that they at
ment.
not
and thrust
in the roots.
The
accommodate the roots when its bottom, and the soil thrown in should be carefully compacted around the These details, however, roots by pressure. do not enter into the question of garden design. Nevertheless the garden maker has a very
ample
to
because
garden
picture
may
achieve
its
highest development,
or be utterly marred.
263
264
Flowers
GARDEN PLANNING
In planting a
1.
bed or border
it
is
2. 3.
4.
I.
The most
is colour, and the success any piece of planting will depend to a large extent upon the skill and good taste with which the colours are managed. In the days when the old-fashioned flowers were deposed to make room for that unfortunate quartet, scarlet geranium, scarlet sage, canna, and coleus, the canons of good taste were lost sight of in the new-born enthusiasm for vivid contrast in primary colours. The vogue for these flowers has now somewhat declined, but the trail of it still lingers in many gardens, and gardeners continue to plant as if the acme of good effect depended upon the accom-
flower undoubtedly
of
plishment of a
in the
most mand.
brilliant
It
is
gamut
a question
of
colour
at
com-
whether we should
not
is
PLANTING
large,
265
The
are to be sought
much wider
rich,
both for
of
The
schemes
feeling,
construction
is
not so
much
a matter of rule as of
is
and a sense
for colour
universal.
On
and
the contrary,
it
is
it is
by no means a somewhat
rare gift,
make
who
colour effect
when they
see
it,
though they
may
The treatment of a bed or border must to some extent be governed by circumstances, and by the number of different colours available.
It
is
Here we may make a subtle harmony of subdued tints, the beauty of which will
appeal only to the near spectator:
there
we
of
may
strive
for
more
insistent
note
266
GARDEN PLANNING
with the
crimson,
warm
tints that
trive
the
greatest
wealth
of
Rose,
scarlet,
orange,
and yellow
each
associate
other.
violet
harmoniously
lavender,
and
reinforce
Lilac,
with
the
such
as
mauve, or primrose yellow. The pure blues which we get In the gentian and delphinium are best kept away from the mauve and
purple blooms.
They
are
always
difficult
to
for the
may
The
rich scarlet
which we
will
have
in the lychnis
A
rum,
common
pyreth-
somewhat daring but generally pleasing contrast. The reddish mauves also coma
PLANTING
It
is
267
good colour
experiment for
find
themselves,
and
continually
who cannot
have
compiled a short
in a suitable
of examples
which
if
may
used
environment.
Hardy Flower Examples
.^_^
Coloi
Mauve
White and Yellow White and Pink White and Pale Blue
Scarlet
violas
White
violas
Herbaceous phlox
Iberis sempervirens
and Blue
Scarlet and
Crimson
Geum
Pyre thrum Delphiniums of both shades
Sweet-william
Herbaceous phlox
Galega officinalis
Anthemis
Aster Solidago
tinctoria
268
GARDEN PLANNING
associated with vivid
brown or purple foliage with yellow and orange. Magenta crimsons and bluish pinks should
not be placed in juxtaposition to pure crimsons
or scarlets.
this
combina-
As
a
own
foliage
is
gener-
harmony with
little
its flowers,
or furnishes
How
is
under-
by those who ofi"er guidance in the matter, is shown by the wide differences of view that writers have adopted. One authority, whose opinions one would imagine were the outcome of some defect of vision, says, "Nor have I any preference for one
stood, even
completely
in the entire
This surely
is
most
precise advice
on how
PLANTING
colour scheme, and well describes the
269
common
every-
bed or border,
thing
It
else.
in
which everything
kills
to
An
some years
of
since,
them
In spots, a
kind of
equal proportions.
The
The coloured
and
is
spots
were
mutually
destructive,
the
quite
It
This
I
mention
I
here
It
demonstrates
how
entirely
mistaken
have
just quoted.
Were
contrasting colours
bed of white
violas, or
/^
Cantefbufy
bells,
GARDEN PLANNING
with the yellowish-green foliage of
the pyrethrum,would entirely satisfy
my sense of a
When
it
mode
of plant-
and formal
parallel
rows are
The
way
is
each colour,
which we
floral
may
spectrum
which colour
related to
side.
illustration.
The sequence
Fig. 102.
of colours
may
be
AT'
her-
'.
rangemeht of
baceous border
series:
PLANTING
(i) Purple,
271
yellow,
orange,
Deep
red,
scarlet,
The same
different
order
may
be repeated, adopting
the
proportions
for
masses
if
the
border
is
may be
may
be
may
result.
White
is
is
so telling at
may
be overdone.
The
these
affect
colour arrangements
may
or
may
not
the
results,
colour values,
erally
speaking, however,
takes a subordi-
may
well be neglected.
Chev-
Dye
Works, who wrote "The Laws of Contrast of Colour," says: "An objection might be addressed to
me
272
GARDEN PLANNING
as a
which serves
the
efl"ect
not so;
and to be convinced of it, it is sufficient to fix upon a screen of green silk two kinds of flowers (of contrasting colour) and to look at them from a distance of about ten paces; for when the eye is fixed upon two well-defined objects
simultaneously, surrounding objects
produce
we hardly
the
merge into the other larger masses of green grass, trees, and shrubs and thus become part of the general background. There are, however, the gray and yellow
greens which,
by reason
account they
may become
useful as
colour
The student
sult Chevreuil
with advantage.
sensation
in
He
alyzed
colour
a masterly way,
and
though
his
conclusions
were
PLANTING
formulated half a century ago, they
still
273
hold
good
2.
in their scientific
and
artistic applications.
is
The
to be considered, and
by no means an unim-
portant one.
size,
By
habit
shape,
and general appearance, but also those special characters which distinguish one plant from another. It may consist in mode of branching, texture of foliage, form of flower
head, colour of foliage, denseness or sparseness
of blossom, or time of flowering in relation to
leaf
it is
well
known,
only when
we know
we
are in a position
I
it is
have
that
how important
one of
its
greatest
charms to those who regard it not merely as a means for producing blossom. In referring
to "freedom of
growth"
I
do not wish
it
to be
understood that
of the plant.
condemn those necessary pruning operations which make for the welfare
I refer solely
to the growing of
274
plants in a
GARDEN PLANNING
way
instead
of
To make
effect
is
may
is
instance a
no
rigid sys-
tem
Though
it is
essential to the
it.
One
or more
gives
character to the
any
may
clump upon
It
till
will
maimed
and the
wreck.
plants
by
this kind of
gardening that
are
Is
border
made
and formal
to
detail.
The
next point
sufficient
elbow-room
develop
without
PLANTING
hindrance from
its
275
neighbours.
the
to
gardener
allots
just
sufficient
grow centrifugally without check from Thus the taller plants may its companions. be separated by others of more moderate growth, and the former will have space above to expand their foliage unhindered. Again, with a knowledge of plant habit we may associate bushy plants with those which tend to legginess to use a term well known to the gardening fraternity and thereby conceal the uninteresting view of a sheaf of bare stalks. Plants which throw up long narrow spikes of flower may keep company
room
with others having a tufted habit, to their mutual advantage in the general effect. Those
may
where they
kinds
of
will
reinforce
others
set off
by contrast with
Shrubs and
foliage.
may
be supported
plant
for
leafing plants.
Again,
foliaged
association
276
of Sparse
GARDEN PLANNING
and inconspicuous habit.
The
final
particulars will be a
at
home
is
in
bfest
maximum
If,
contri-
as I
have
some vigorous plant pushes forward beyond the boundary, or some pretty trailer
ignores the edging,
it is
and no
spire
them about,
the
special
purpose
garden.
importing
informality into
the
even when
all
are
tall,
sil-
onous.
in the
same degree.
We may
group the
and reserve the margin for others of smaller and more uniform size. Though we may plan on geometrical lines, we should, like the painter,
PLANTING
endeavour to soften them.
,277
Our
plants will
do that
3.
for us
is
if
only
we
allow them.
It
we can be
for the
we
bring together
colour
time.
harmony will be in bloom at the same Not only should they start approxias far as possible, coincide in
bloom should,
measured
in
By judicious selection
failures
4.
from
this source.
is
Succession
gardening, for
we cannot
to shorten
nor can
in
our borders.
the garden
By
consulting a
list
maker may select his plants and so dispose them that, as the spring-blooming kinds fail, others will succeed for the summer months to be followed in their turn by the autumnblooming kinds.
This system of succession,
well arranged, will give us flowers
from Febru-
278
GARDEN PLANNING
mum
we
It
are likely to be
early, middle,
My
purview of the garden designer. The effects to be obtained from annuals and bedding-out plants belong to the routine of garden management, but the same principles apply as regards
colour, habit, period,
and succession.
CHAPTER XX
Further Considerations Garden Making
in
The
in the
much
in
ones.
may
go a long
skill
way
to
undo the
results of
thought and
have endeavoured
"how" but
also
"why,"
believing
and be the better understood and remembered. Although the construction of a garden plan on paper is a necessary preliminary to the practical operations on the site, it will only carry the garden maker a certain way toward
the desired result.
Much
-79
have to be
filled in
on the ground.
in the
286
GARDEN PLANNING
may add
distinction
work as
it
for
I
do not mean that he should seek for an overelaborated result, but he should be alive to possibilities, and should neglect none of the
various openings which
for artistic
I
may
present themselves
work
in a small
way.
in the plant-
duce charming
effects.
One work
was the
In a short time
had clambered up amongst the dark foliage, and had festooned it with graceful sprays. In
summer
when every
leaf
was vivid carmine, was indescribably beautiful. I remember also a similar effect in a Scottish garden, in which a flame nasturtium {Tropcsolum speciosum) had taken possession of a large straggling elder tree, and wreathed it about
GARDEN MAKING
with masses of
case was a
scarlet.
281
result
in
The
that
happy
worthy of being noted and subsequently repeated with deliberate intent. This nasturtium cannot be found in America, but the trumpet
vine offers a near substitute.
Reds always come so well against a mass of dark foliage that we can never make a mistake
in contriving effects like those just described.
effects of
There are colour effects of contrast and colour harmony, and we may employ either
An
mass of shrubs makes a glorious expanse of quiet but sufficiently conspicuous colour, if
the component plants be selected for variety
of tint
and texture.
favourite box elder {Acer negundo), and
if
The
its
gold-leaved variety,
but a
charming
A like
effect
Is
obtainable with
common
habit.
bushy
282
GARDEN PLANNING
flowering trees afford us abundant opin
The
best effects.
open
Subjects like
bulbs in grass.
effects
may
be contrived in the
formal
by the
judicious use of
The
for
in
the purpose.
large groups of
is
so often done.
may
be naturalized, and
gardening
will
prove a
a costly
Though
subtropical
is
and troublesome hobby, a semi-tropical effect may be secured on a small scale by selecting Given a position not too suitable plants.
closely
related with
formal
surroundings.
It
GARDEN MAKING
is
283
worth while to attempt such an effect, using Success will depend upon
with which the materials
I
are
em-
ployed.
and
spiiiosa,
should
of
hardy
bamboos,
yuccas,
Arundo conspicua and A. donax), pampas grass, and bold-foliaged plants like acanthus, polygonum, rhubarb, and rodgersia. I would introduce kniphofia for its colour value. Of smaller plants I should select those which afford a suggestion of exotic form funkia, Bocconia cordata, crown im(particularly
perial,
Solomon's
seal,
coltsfoot,
verbascum,
I
ferns,
need
not
enumerate.
The beauty of a pseudo-tropical garden made on these lines would consist in the variety
and
special
character
of
it
The graceful habit and beauty of flower of our hardy climbers make them valuable material
284
GARDEN PLANNING
For the pergola, walls and for special effects amongst
and
With
so
of climber-
covered
remarkable
house walls.
The
oft-repeated
fallacy
that
growth of this kind causes damp walls has already been refuted. It doubtless accounts for the studied neglect of this part of the garden
picture.
In
my opinion
harmony with
garden sur-
tend toward a
clus-
of
the
brickwork.
all
There
should
be
creepers to flower at
aspect.
Of purely
be
Boston
GARDEN MAKING
walls in a thin sheet of uniform surface.
285
But
colour,
But
white
may
be used in a
if it
way
to produce an
admirable effect
It
is
essential that
it
no more beautiful feature for a garden than a dense group of Lilium candidum, its pure white petals softened and modified by the yellow anthers and their reflections.
of
know
There are certain plants and shrubs which have a special claim to be treated as "specimens," affording us a means of adding
interest to a lawn.
One
is
hardy and evergreen, and throws up a fine, bold spike of creamy flowers. It should be placed where it will be sheltered from cold winds, and preferably in association
is
The pampas
grass
is
286
GARDEN PLANNING
it
will
its
graceful, arching
and
if
possible
background
so freely.
for the
may
take
be bare.
Shady
corners,
and spaces
be planted
if
may
in
shade
they
have protection from cold winds. An interesting feature in an English garden was called an "Orchid Dell" by the owner. It
was a hollow on
a chalky hillside,
earlier
which had
period, and,
growth of hazel.
grass.
Soil
rough
spiral
path was
In the
threading
its
way through
the thicket.
GARDEN MAKING
ditions
287
common
of the
proved favourable to their welfare. The bluebell, wild anemone, and primrose
The
dell
effect in spring
was
by being
wild
The
natural
arch
I
of traveller's
this
the
clematis.
mention
as an instance of
what may be done to beautify what by many would be regarded as a piece of waste ground
suitable only as a
dumping place
exact
the garden
for
garden
is
rubbish.
possible
An
on
almost
counterpart
spots
most of
of
America.
In spite of our best efforts to
beautiful at every point.
It will
eye,
and
it.
it
should be
Much may
and whilst development
size,
is
In progress of
well to erect a
training
288
GARDEN PLANNING
may
be insufficient room
trellis
tions
might enumerate a vast number of suggesand expedients for creating beauty in the garden details, but I could not hope to exhaust
I
Each garden provides its own particular set of problems, and the main point for the garden maker is to be alive to opportunities for interesting work and to avail himself of them to the utmost. Though I have emphasized the
importance
of
studying
the
general
effect,
and of treatment adapted for securing a broad, well-composed, and interesting picture, I regard it as equally important that the details
should be as carefully studied.
seen in two
ways
garden
is
form and colour, and as something to examine and plant. In time the outlines of the garden become so familiar to the owner that they only feebly imin detail for its interest of flower
and
GARDEN MAKING
display.
289
The
latter
This, I think,
coming within the province of the garden designer. Whether his efforts are directed to the removal or concealment of some eyesore, or to the creation of some pleasing effect in colour, or to providing a means of growing some specially interestwhich
I
Include planting
as
work
in
the
will
which
of
stamp
his
thoroughness.
reserve plot
It
a useful adjunct to
any
it is
is
garden.
may
is
venlent spot
associated
available,
just a place
seedlings,
but
if
space permits
may
290
garden
the
is
GARDEN PLANNING
the
place
beds.
It
may
so
be
to
easily raised
from seed
and
raise
it
is
a source of
much
interest
them.
CHAPTER XXI
The Evolution
While
equally
it
of
an Ideal Lot
is
may
but
also
is
that
the
development of that
particular plan
fact that
is
may
be by gradual growth
be
often overlooked.
Given
a proper
may
cupation
ahead.
in
for
several
years
an article in the Garden Magazine with the accompanying progressive plans, by Mr. C. Stanton, all of which are here reproduced. Taking the typical suburban division, it is
pointed
surrounding the
dwelHng
the service
The
292
GARDEN PLANNING
(all
those parts
which are necessary to the proper functioning of the estate, but which we do not expect will add
much
of
all,
to
its
first
fundamental to the
This area
is
to be kept as
compact
it
as
and so that
it
may
be In
may
be hidden from the rest of the estate, and so that people in the garden and on the piazza will not
etc.,
and by delivery wagons coming to the house. This arrangement allows about as much land
on the southern
side that
"sunny"
we wish
to develop, as
it is
possible to
have.
The
is
street.
enough to provide a setting for the house, and to bring it far enough away from the street with its dust and noise. While this
large
made only
part
is
293
ways of doing
it
in
own
skill.
private
opportunities to
show individual
First
we must
that
amount of
we may be
will
is,
The
come that
views.
It
we
strive to hide
will
These would be the piazzas, any terraces, the places where we intend to put seats, etc. On the specimen plan (page 295) the spots that
command
block
them
out.
The great trouble with walls and hedges is that when they are tall enough to hide the inside
from prying eyes, they are
liable to
be so
tall
294
GARDEN PLANNING
For
the
average
place
nothing
can
equal
when
it is
properly designed; as
it
are
Methods of carrying out the rough outline shown (Figs. 103 to 105). In (Fig. 104) tall
and act
as screens;
and
a shrub border
is
for privacy.
have
been saved, all " framed. " Two trees shade the house, and three
(preferably elms) the front lawn and the side-
walk.
its
in this plan
has
outhne composed of long, sweeping curves, which allow it to be wider in some places than in
others,
in
and give
One should be
rest
make
it
so large that
it
cramps the
it is
of the
garden.
On
small lots
a straight line,
and depend on
The house
is
made
to harmonize with
its
sur-
Fig. 103
Stage
^The
General Beginning
shown on the following pages
295
Two
Stage
II
Fig. 104
296
Fig.
Stag
III.
105
lines of
298
GARDEN PLANNING
its
base.
These are
at
and
may
may
be room
left
be-
tween
Do
many
two
larger ones
do the work.
where
it is
Japan bar-
on three
so that
it
sides
by shrubs.
it is
It
fairly
its
make
be banked in around the seat there, and should grow well in the shade. In locating the garden, note this point: it should not be placed where
its
charming
299
eye to
itself in-
wander to some unsightly object beyond the boundary and which you are
stead of letting
powerless to hide.
Another method
wall lawn area
out the
much
far
enough out into the lawn to make it serve Hving area. One would not
grocer's
want the
feature
is
made
same
a grove of the
material.
stepping-stone
walk between the hedge and a bed of flowering shrubs gives a chance for various surprises
(fancy ferns, wild flowers, possibly a seat, or a
bird-bath), and leads one out to the terrace in
is
good
seat.
Here one
the
may
view
in the rear, or
300
GARDEN PLANNING
The garden
by
By
such means
is
variety
Looking
is
in
the rear
en-
hanced by the groups of cedars, and by the two deciduous trees on the terrace.
Some
1.
itemized:
Keep the
where doing so will bring it too much into prominence in the scenery. 2. For the small place plan a straight drive; but where the length is more than one hundred feet it is usually better to make it curved. These
curves should not be abrupt, but very gradual
and easy.
to have
as a
3.
When making curves, it is the rule some apparent reason for them, such
knoll.
the
Keep
lawns open!
Especially avoid
Any
flower bed
is
better
if it is
enclosed.
may
3OI
The
of flowers
set into
5.
may
one of the bays of the shrub border. Usually the vegetable garden would be
il
its
propel
relation, there
no reason
It
is
why
it
cannot open
a real delight to
many
may
shade; but,
fruit
6.
is
if
Do
is
much
need.
Remember
will
seem.
upon a mass of waving greenery; and do not rely on young forest trees that grow big.
nOfERTY LIBRABT
N.
State
Colkm